Humpback whale freed from fishing rope in dramatic rescue

In a challenging and difficult operation, a large Humpback whale was freed from being entangled in fishing rope South of Cape Recife in open water deep offshore.

The NSRI said the difficult conditions were amplified by an additional number of Humpback whales that arrived on the scene - most likely concerned for the wellbeing of the entangled whale. At least five Orcas were also on the scene.

NSRI Gqeberha coxswain Kevin Warren said NSRI Gqeberha was alerted by South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) operations to prepare SAWDN trained NSRI SAWDN crew and to prepare the SAWDN specialised gear and cutting equipment for a whale disentanglement operation on Tuesday morning.

“SAWDN had received reports from the Lusitania fishing vessel Louisa-Claire of a Humpback whale appearing to be entangled in fishing rope South of Cape Recife in open water deep offshore.

“The fishing vessel Louisa-Claire had remained on the scene to guide our NSRI rescue craft to the location,” Warren said.

On arrival on the scene, 15 nautical miles South of Cape Recife, the rescuers found a large Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope trailing a floatation buoy and appearing to be anchored to the seabed by one of the fishing ropes.

“A seal was also found to be on the scene swimming around - and what appeared to be the casualty whale's mate, another large Humpback whale, was close by on the scene.”

The affected whale had space for movement and was swimming around in wide circles - confirming that the whale was anchored to the seabed by one of the fishing lines.

“Our NSRI rescue craft Eddie Beaumont II moved in for closer inspection finding wraps of fishing rope around the fluke and wraps of fishing rope around the caudal peduncle - with a birds nest of fishing rope gathered on the one side.”

An additional two Humpback whales arrived on the scene, and kept getting in the way of the NSRI rescue craft, Warren said. 

“Despite these extreme challenges we were able to attach grappling hooks to one of the trailing lines - with rope attached that were carrying larger floatation buoys - this to aid us in slowing the affected whale down a bit - but the whale continued to swim around in circles.

“And the three additional whales continued to get in our way - but we commend our NSRI coxswain for expertly manoeuvring the rescue craft despite these challenges.”

Cuts to the entangled fishing rope were initiated but it became obvious quite a few cuts would be necessary.

During the operation the team lost two cutting poles and one of the specialised cutting knives.

“While cutting on the fishing rope at least five Orcas then arrived on the scene - we assume they had come to take a look at what was going on.

“By that stage the seal had left and the three Humpback whales that had remained on the scene appeared to chase the Orcas away.”

Over a four-hour period, all rope was cut free and the fishing rope and flotation buoy were recovered for disposal.

“When we finally cut away the last fishing line that was anchored to the seabed the affected whale and the remaining whales dived under water and swam off not to be seen again," Warren said.

Cape Times