Humpback Whale Freed from Entangled Fishing Line

Photo credit: West Hawaii Today

Crews from the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary worked over the weekend to free a humpback whale that had become entangled in crab trap lines.

The entangles whale was spotted on February 13 off the coast of Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island by helicopter tour companies. A tag was attached and the whale was tracked for a week.

Rescue efforts where hampered by rough seas and weather but a crew was able to approach the whale over the weekend and cut the line free. According to the Sanctuary spokesman, Ed Lyman, all line but a small piece lodged in a wound was cut and the he fragment should fall out naturally as the wound heals.

Good news for the humpback. Thanks to efforts of the spotters, trackers and crews who worked together to save this whale.

Check out the full story from West Hawaii Today