Humpback whale successfully freed from entanglement off NSW South Coast
A humpback whale entangled off the NSW South Coast has been successfully freed following a response led by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with support from Marine Rescue NSW and ORRCA.
The whale was first reported to ORRCA’s 24/7 Rescue Hotline near Batemans Bay, trailing lines used for fishing and buoys attached.
A specialist response was mobilised, with teams tracking the whale and working together on Saturday to safely remove the entanglement on the weekend.
The NPWS Large Whale Disentanglement Team (LWDT) successfully removed 46 metres of trailing line, two buoys and seaweed weighing a total of 13 kilograms from the whale, allowing it to resume more natural movement. Following the disentanglement, the whale was observed moving faster and responding positively.
A drone pilot operating as part of the NSW Right Whale ID Program obtained aerial imagery of the whale, providing valuable information on the type and configuration of the entanglement to assist the response (see Dropbox for vision captured).
Disentangling marine wildlife is a complex and dangerous operation that requires highly trained operators, specialist equipment and suitable conditions to safely approach and assist animals at sea.
Large Whale Disentanglement training is supported by the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy (MEMS).
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Incident Controller Andrew Wall said “This was a fantastic outcome for this whale and a great example of the importance of rapid reporting and coordinated response efforts by a variety of specially trained teams.”
“If you see an entangled whale, please report its location, direction and speed to NPWS on 1300 072 757 or the ORRCA Rescue Hotline on 02 9415 3333.”
Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Glenn Sullivan said “Volunteers and rescue vessels from Marine Rescue Batemans Bay and Ulladulla played an important role in this operation.
“Marine Rescue NSW vessels act as the mothership during these complex responses, with Marine Rescue volunteers tracking the whale from Batemans Bay to Bawley Point, where they rendezvoused with Marine Rescue Ulladulla volunteers and the NPWS team.
“It was extremely rewarding to see the whale successfully freed and able to continue its journey unhindered.”
ORRCA President Ashley Ryan said “Whale entanglements remain one of the most significant threats faced by migrating humpback whales along our coastline. These incidents can quickly become life-threatening, which is why rapid reporting and a coordinated response are so critical.
“ORRCA volunteers have already invested hundreds of hours this migration season tracking entangled whales and supporting response efforts. While not every situation presents an opportunity for intervention, it’s extremely rewarding to see a coordinated, full-scale response achieve a positive outcome when the conditions and circumstances allow.”
