A humpback whale found entangled in fishing gear off the coast of British Columbia has become a “really challenging case” for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), according to officials.
The distressed whale was first spotted by a group of whale watchers near the entrance to the Strait of Georgia on Monday. The DFO was immediately notified and a team was dispatched to assess the situation.
Upon arrival, the team discovered that the whale was entangled in a large amount of fishing gear, including ropes and buoys. The gear was wrapped tightly around the whale’s tail and flippers, hindering its ability to swim and causing visible distress.
Efforts to free the whale were complicated by its size and the amount of gear entangled. The DFO team, along with local fishermen and members of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, worked tirelessly to carefully remove the gear and free the whale.
Despite their best efforts, the whale was able to break free and swim away before the team could fully remove all of the gear. However, they were able to remove a significant amount, which will greatly improve the whale’s chances of survival.
The DFO is now urging all fishermen to properly dispose of their gear and to report any entanglements they come across. They also remind the public to keep a safe distance from marine animals and to report any sightings of entangled animals to the DFO.
This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that marine animals face due to human activities. The DFO is committed to protecting these animals and will continue to work towards finding solutions to prevent entanglements in the future.
In the meantime, the DFO will continue to monitor the whale’s condition and provide any necessary assistance. They are hopeful that the whale will make a full recovery and be able to continue its journey in the wild.
