Entangled whale freed
A FISHERMAN has helped save a humpback whale off Tasmania’s South-East Coast after it became tangled in one of his nets.
He notified the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment about the entanglement off the coast of Nubeena yesterday.
Wildlife biologist Rachael Alderman said as soon as the fisherman realised a whale had become stuck, he contacted officers and stayed with the giant mammal all afternoon.
Whale disentanglement staff arrived and freed the whale by attaching a series of ropes and buoys to the net, which slowed the animal down in order to remove the tangle. The whale was eventually set free late yesterday afternoon, just off Shipstern Bluff.
“The whale was last seen swimming freely and heading south past Shipstern Bluff,” Dr Alderman said. “Thanks to the quick notification by the fisherman and then his willingness to stay with the whale over several hours and provide ongoing updates and its precise location, we were able to get to the animal and undertake the rescue.”
Assistance was also provided by Tassal staff who also worked with the fisherman to monitor the whale’s movement and provide information.
Dr Alderman warned people not to try to free entangled whales themselves.
Whale sightings can be reported to the Marine Mammal Hotline on 0427 WHALES.