A Southern Right whale was disentangled from rock lobster ropes near Dassen Island, north of Cape Town, the SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) said on Friday.“At 10.30am the SAWDN launched two sea rescue craft from Yzerfontein harbour to search for a 12 metre Southern Right whale entangled in rock lobster rope and floatation buoys,” spokesman Steven McCue said.
The whale was first spotted by rock lobster fishermen at about 8am who reported it to the Transnet National Ports Authority which then contacted the SAWDN. On finding the whale McCue said it appeared to be “exhausted and distressed and was hardly moving.”
“We anchored the small sea rescue craft to the tail end of the whale and worked our way from the head, to the mouth, to the torso and finally the tail, gently cutting rope, using poles with specialised cutting knives. Once freed the whale swam off confidently, appearing to be healthy and vibrant.”
SAWDN is a specialised unit made up of volunteers from the National Sea Rescue Institute, the department of environmental affairs, SA National Parks, the police, and other organisations.
Source: Sapa
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