Rescue operation underway to free whale trapped in shark nets off Sydney coast

A rescue operation is underway to free a whale, believed to be caught in shark nets off the Sydney coast.

The whale is thought to be a seven-metre humpback and has become tangled in equipment near Wattamolla, in Sydney's south.

The whale is about 400 metres off-shore, where the shark nets are usually located.

Crews are currently trying to free the whale from the netting, including a buoy.

The annual whale migration typically runs from May, June and July where the mammals head north to give birth, before returning south from September until November.