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Erian Kirkwood

@chasing_ocean_life

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Drone Pilot 🎥 @envoyfilm
Coexistence begins with understanding — seeing the truth.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Bull sharks aren’t “invading” our beaches we’re overlapping with their habitat more than ever.

Australia has seen an increase in bull shark sightings and a rise in recorded interactions lately, especially along the east coast. Research shows this is linked to warmer waters, heavy rainfall, and murky conditions that draw these highly adaptable sharks into estuaries and closer to shore, the same places humans swim, surf and fish.

Bull sharks aren’t hunting people. Like many shark incidents worldwide, interactions are often cases of mistaken identity in low visibility water, not targeted predation. These animals are doing what they’ve always done, following food, temperature, and environmental cues in a changing ocean.

As apex predators, bull sharks help keep marine ecosystems balanced and healthy. More sightings don’t mean more danger, they mean we need smarter awareness, not fear based reactions.

#bullshark #sharkeducation #oceanconservation #coexistence #healthyoceans

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This year has been truely unforgettable! I starting this page in March and the results have been overwhelming. It’s connected me with incredible people who share my passion for diving and the ocean. Your support means everything, and I'm honored to be part of this community! #freediving #gopro #spearfishing #scuba #reef

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Today should’ve been a simple, peaceful morning on the water—until it wasn’t.

Months ago, I filmed a mother whale and her calf entangled right off Noosa Main Beach. That moment has stayed with me ever since... and today… it happened again. Different species. Same heartbreak.

Right beside Noosa’s coastline, I filmed a manta ray in clear distress—circling, slowing, signalling for help in the way only wild animals can when something is terribly wrong.

These moments shake you. They remind you how vulnerable our marine life really is, and how quickly things can turn from beautiful to gut-wrenching.

This isn’t the content I want to share. This is the content I’m forced to share—because pretending everything is fine only protects the problem.

When an animal this magnificent ends up struggling metres from shore, something is broken.
And if we don’t speak up, nothing changes.

⚠️ OUR MARINE LIFE NEEDS US—NOT LATER. NOW.
Whether it’s preventable entanglements, discarded gear, boat strikes, nets, or negligence… the message is the same: We are failing them.

👉 Share this. Tag local authorities. Tag anyone who can make noise.

Awareness saves lives—and silence costs them.

These creatures deserve better. No excuses. No delays.

** Special thanks to @captn_bam from @noosathriller
for alerting this to me, so I could take property action.

#noosa #mantaray #marinelife #greatbarrierreef #sunshinecoast #protectouroceans #australia #wildlifecrisis #oceanconservation #endangeredspecies #awareness #sharethisnow #repost

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NETS OUT NOW! ACTION IN DESCRIPTION

Check out this heartbreaking footage of this double humpback entanglement at Rainbow Beach (QLD) shot by @chasing_ocean_life.

The calf is released at the end of this clip, but mum took another 4 hours to free, and was exhausted and listless upon release.

The survival of both is unknown, as DPI do not track post release mortality.

On Tuesday October 7th, we’ll be doing a dial in campaign to @david_crisafulli’s office to let him know we want shark nets gone from Queensland beaches, at the very least, during whale migration season.

For talking points, script, phone number and everything you need to participate, RSVP on Facebook to indicate you’ll participate and receive updates (facebook.com/share/196uo54sSP) or join the @envoyfilm “Be an Envoy” broadcast channel to receive info on the day! 🔈

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There have been 12 whale entanglements in shark nets in Queensland waters in the space of two weeks. This number is only continuing to grow and our marine life is paying the ultimate cost.

Baby calves have washed up on nearby beaches, skinny mothers have been relocated with tight net markings covering their bodies, mothers have dragged gear for days, mothers are holding their calves up out of the water in a desperate attempt at survival.

It is heartbreaking, unbelievable and sickening all wrapped in one.

Come together this Saturday the 4th October at Lions Park @ Noosa Parade and stand up for our marine wildlife and demand for the immediate removal of shark nets in QLD waters.

We know that the Sunshine Coast community care and we know that we are stronger together 🙌🏼🩵🦈

WHERE: Lions Park, Noosa Parade
WHEN: Saturday 4th October @ 11am

#netsoutnow

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⚠️ P.S. this reel was compiled just before the Kirra whale calf entanglement ⚠️

This just goes to show how fast this absolute madness is accelerating‼️

@david_crisafulli what's your call?

#EndTheCull #NetsOutNow

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🚨 More Humpbacks Entangled In Queensland Shark Nets 💔🐋

This program, despite its proven ineffectiveness, is set to be expanded by Queensland Premier @david_crisafulli, based on lies and policies.

🚨TAKE ACTION! Sign the petition against shark nets at 👉 change.org/netsoutnow

This footage is from the Rainbow Beach shark net entanglement (09/27/25), which lasted over 10 hours. The whales were eventually released but their fate is unknown. 🐋

Video by: @chasing_ocean_life @envoyfilm

🌍👉 @worldanimalnews_ @peace_4animals
#WorldAnimalNews #whales #animals #Wildlife #ocean #whales #queensland #australia

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🚁✨ Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro ✨🚁

I’ve spent a lot of time with the Mini 4 Pro, and honestly, it’s been such a solid drone for travel and everyday flying. But the Mini 5 Pro caught me off guard. The gimbal rotation alone feels like a completely new creative tool — it opens up shots that just weren’t possible before. 📸🔥

Both drones have their strengths, but if you’ve been thinking about upgrading, this might be the jump that actually feels worth it.

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MORE HUMPBACKS ENTANGLED IN QUEENSLAND SHARK NETS

This program, despite its proven ineffectiveness, is set to be expanded by Queensland Premier @david_crisafulli, based on lies and policies.

Sign the petition against shark nets at change.org/netsoutnow

This footage is from the Rainbow Beach shark net entanglement (27/09/25), which lasted over 10 hours. The whales were eventually released but their fate is unknown.

🎥 x @chasing_ocean_life

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🚨 10+ HOUR ENTANGLEMENT 🚨

Today, Queensland entangled another two humpbacks, once again a mum and a calf, this time at Rainbow Beach.

First reported at 6am, rescue crews took over 4.5 hours to arrive. After managing to release the calf, they took a further 4 hours to release the mother (pictured here).

What do you think their chances of survival are?

This has to stop, and blood is on the hands of @david_crisafulli and @tonyperrettmp until it does. They must follow the @kpmgaustralia report, and remove nets during whale season. The community has had enough.

🎥 x @chasing_ocean_life

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Shark Nets are DEATH TRAPS ❌

Please read, share and keep eyes peeled for these whales. .

Last night on a thermal imaging drone, this footage from @envoyfoundation shows the two whales who were horribly entangled in Shark Nets yesterday, an attempt was made to release them last night, but as you can see in the footage, the mother is still dragging a lot of the net hardware which is a death sentence.
❌ There is also NO research done on post entanglement survival.

PLEASE keep a look out if you are in QLD or on the Sunshine Coast at all for these whales.
The net needs to be cut off entirely for this mum and calf to be safe.
Contact @envoyfoundation @envoyfilm immediately if you see them. Document everything.

These nets kill countless marine animals every year, they bring NO protection to us as ocean goers, and they are a death trap for whales, dolphins, turtles and all other marine life.

Please help us fight to get these nets removed.

Our government just poured 88 million dollars into this cruel program instead of investing money into non-lethal technologies that actually protect people and wildlife . . . .

If you see the whales please call the Shark Control Program Hotline on 1800 806 891 and @envoyfoundation

Let’s make noise about this.

💙 Please sign the petition change.org/netsoutnow
🪸 Tag @david_crisafulli and @qldgov and let them know what these nets are doing to our marine life over and over again.

Footage courtesy of -
@geoffaquino
@envoyfoundation
@taylor_x_ocean
@chasing_ocean_life
@andreborell
@envoyfilm

#NetsOutNow #SharkNetsKill #HumpbackMigration

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Call the Shark Control Program Hotline on 1800 806 891 to report any sightings.

Let’s also make sure @david_crisafulli knows these fishing nets aren’t wanted at our beaches, especially during whale migration season 🐋

UPDATE: Receiving unverified reports that further attempts were made after this, and the rest was cut off. Given how often we have previously caught DPI in a lie about these rescues, we will report on this further if/when they release evidence. Until that time, based on track record, we have to assume they are misrepresenting, downplaying, omitting or lying. We also understand DPI have declined to release any footage of the whales after release, instead requiring the footage to be RTI’d, which will take several months.

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