GQEBERHA – A juvenile humpback whale was set free after being found entangled in fishing rope by the National Sea Rescue Institute Station (NSRI) and SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) on Sunday, 14 September.
According to a statement issued by National Sea Rescue Institute Station (NSRI), at about 10:00, SAWDN volunteers were alerted by the NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) of the juvenile Humpback whale.
“A local fishing vessel was on the scene where the 8.5 to 9 metre whale had become entangled in their fishing rope.
“The fishing vessel skipper and crew were attempting to assist to free the whale from the fishing rope and requested assistance, 18 nautical miles South of Cape Recife,” the statement said.
“Two NSRI rescue craft, Rescue 6 Alpha and Eddie Beaumont II, accompanied by NSRI SAWDN-trained crew, the SAWDN specialised cutting equipment and extra fuel, were launched.
“Telkom Maritime Radio Services assisted with marine VHF radio communications,” the statement added.
According to the statement, on arrival on the scene, in calm seas, with 1 to 2-metre sea swells, the whale was found calm, appearing to be tired, and docile, with multiple wraps of fishing rope entangling the whale around the tail.
“The fishing vessel skipper and crew were hard at work, trying their best to free the whale from the entanglement.
“The NSRI rescue craft were manoeuvred into position where the NSRI-trained SAWDN crew set to work, using the specialised cutting equipment. Following multiple cuts to the fishing rope entanglement, all fishing rope was cut free and recovered,” the statement added.
Following the ordeal that ended at approximately 15:00, the young whale seemed to take a while to rest and gather strength before swimming off confidently.
