Fishermen rescue humpback whale off coast of Ocean Reef as shark circles nearby

Two fishermen who rescued a humpback whale trapped in cray pots are counting their lucky stars after evading a large shark circling nearby.

The two mates were fishing about 30km off the coast of Ocean Reef when they spotted the humpback. Kane Parker, a professional diver, jumped in to rescue the whale.

“It had multiple pots all tangled up and was gasping for air,” he said. “I started trying to cut lines and it went back under and that's when I noticed a 3.5m shark.”

After freeing the whale, Mr Parker said he hightailed it out of the water.

A man who leapt in to untangle a whale on the Gold Coast this week was threatened with a fine, but ultimately avoided any penalty.

“It’s just a spur of the moment decision you make,” Mr Parker said.

“I hope I don’t get fined.”