Humpback whale entangled in fishing ropes set free near Yzerfontein
A 10-metre humpback whale that became tangled in fishing ropes off the
Cape West Coast has been set free.
Authorities received an alert from a research vessel in the vicinity of Dassen Island, near Yzerfontein on Friday morning.
Craig Lambinon, who's is with the SA Whale Disentanglement Network, says it was a joint rescue effort.
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"On arrival on the scene, it was found that the crew of the research vessel had managed to cut one fishing line free of an at least 10-metre humpback whale, which remained entangled in two fishing rope lines, with floatation buoys attached, and with three wraps of fishing rope line around the caudal peduncle.
"Using specialised cutting equipment, three cuts were made to the entangled fishing rope in intervals over a period of around 30 minutes and after the third cut was made, the whale swam away freely.
"No visible damage to the whale was observed and the whale appeared to be healthy."
