A Gold Coast man has escaped hefty fines after freeing a baby whale calf from shark netting.
The experienced diver, identified only as "Django", rescued the whale he came across while travelling in his tinny off the coast of Burleigh about 9am on Tuesday.
It is illegal in Queensland to interfere with equipment used for shark control, with a possible fine of up to $26,900 for doing so.
But an investigation by the Department of Fisheries cleared him of any serious breaches.
He has been handed two fisheries infringement notices but will not receive a monetary fine.
A fundraising page was set up to cover the costs of the fine and raised about $20,000, which will likely go towards other charitable causes.
Prior to receiving an official warning Django said if he saw another animal in distress he'd do it all over again, but cautioned others not to do the same.
"I was going straight in. I'm not scared of it, to be honest," he said.
"I wouldn't recommend everyone go and do it, its highly dangerous."
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