Huge 12-metre humpback whale euthanised after the stricken mammal became stranded in shallow waters

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A whale stranded on the New South Wales mid north coast has been euthanased, after weather conditions prevented its rescue on Saturday morning.

The 12-metre long juvenile humpback whale had been beached at Sawtell Beach in Coffs Harbour for more than a day. 

Beachgoers spotted the whale, weighing about 10 tonnes, in the surf early on Friday and it washed closer to shore about 7am.

A whale stranded on the New South Wales mid north coast (pictured) has been euthanased, after weather conditions and rough seas prevented its rescue on Saturday morning

ORCCA and a spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage confirmed the 'very sad news' on Saturday. Pictured are volunteers attempting to rescue the whale

On Saturday a spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage said the 'really tough decision' was made to euthanise the whale.

She said a large group of marine mammal experts have assessed the situation and made the call after rough sea conditions hindered rescue attempts.

'Everything's been against this poor thing,' the spokeswoman said.

ORCCA posted a statement to their Facebook page on Saturday afternoon confirming the news.

'Very sad news this afternoon, the young whale at Sawtell has been euthanased. Vets and authorities took the decision to end the poor animal's suffering, as its condition was deteriorating,' they wrote.

 ORCCA said: 'Vets and authorities took the decision to end the poor animal's suffering, as its condition was deteriorating'

'Also given that with the unrelenting poor conditions, a refloat would be unable to proceed for at least two more days, the animal's welfare was the main catalyst for the decision.

'Thank you to all the ORRCA members who tried so hard and never gave up hope. They were there from start to finish, all the hours and all the unpleasant conditions.

'Also thanks to NPWS, Marine Magic, SeaWorld and all of locals who assisted.'  

 ORRCA thanked NPWS, Marine Magic, SeaWorld and all of locals who assisted in trying to rescue the stricken animal (pictured)

The 12-metre long juvenile humpback whale had been beached at Sawtell Beach in Coffs Harbour for more than a day

Rescuers and volunteers stayed on the beach overnight to monitor the whale after rescue groups and a vet battled bad weather at the site on Friday.  

Lawrence Orel from National Parks and Wildlife Service had said there was a small chance the whale may be able to re-float itself on Friday night, reported the ABC.

'That's always a possibility and if that's the case that is obviously the best outcome if the animal self-frees itself,' Mr Orel said.

'However at this stage we expect we may be providing it assistance tomorrow morning.

'We will look to see what will be the best option to try and re-float this animal.. when conditions are safe enough for everyone involved.' 

Beachgoers spotted the whale, weighing about 10 tonnes, in the surf early on Friday and it washed closer to shore about 7am

 Rescuers and volunteers stayed on the beach overnight to monitor the whale after rescue groups and a vet battled bad weather at the site on Friday

The vet said the mammal is in 'reasonable condition' but even when they tow it out to sea with a powerboat in the morning the whale only has a 50/50 chance of survival.  

The whale, believed to be one or two years of age, was rolled upside-down by the surf making the situation more difficult for rescue attempts and for the mammal to breathe.

Footage of the creature showed it stranded in just waist-deep water which further complicates the rescue until the tide goes out.

The 12-metre whale beached itself at Sawtellon Friday and was clearly distressed as it continually smashed its tail in attempt to get free 

'It's still gasping for breath you can see the air coming out of every now and then but there's nothing I'd say you can do for it. It's very sad,' an onlooker told the ABC. 

The Department of Parks and Wildlife attended the scene and were helping efforts to free the whale.

On Friday, a spokesperson had said they were confident they would be able to save the humpback and would conduct a health assessment once they had moved it to deeper water.

'We haven't got heat working against us, so we'll be able to look after that whale, even for a couple of days,' Susan Crocetti from NSW Wildlife said.