NSRI rescues humpback whale entangled in fishing gear in Gqeberha

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in the Eastern Cape has rescued two whales entangled in fishing gear at two different locations in Gqeberha and St Francis Bay.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says a local fishing vessel was on the scene, between Kini Bay and Bushy Park in Gqeberha, maintaining visuals of the juvenile humpback whale that appeared to be entangled in fishing gear.

“The NSRI rescue craft, in the surf zone, during a lull in between incoming breaking wave sets, was able to get in between the land side and the whale and was able to gently guide the entangled juvenile whale further out to sea to an area away from the heavy breaking sea swells, a safe area making it possible to begin the disentanglement operation, where the South African Whale Disentanglement Network trained crew got to work using their specialised cutting equipment.

He adds, “Three tangled fishing ropes were successfully cut from the whale, freeing it. Although the young whale appeared to be tired, it swam free and appeared to rejoin a large number of whales nearby that were further out to sea.”