Rescue crews have managed to free a whale that became trapped in nets off the Gold Coast this morning. 

The whale was spotted around 11am in waters off Coolangatta, appearing to be dragging fishing gear.

A Sea World team managed to cut the mammal free a short time later but are continuing to monitor it for exhaustion.

Humpback whales are in the middle of their migration north after a summer of feeding on krill in Antarctic waters.

Image: Nine News