Add Category
Authorities are attempting to rescue an entangled humpback whale off the coast of Fremantle, south of Perth.
Key points:
- The whale is entangled off the coast of Fremantle, south of Perth
- Responders are trying to attach a satellite tag to track its movements
- Authorities have urged people to stay well away from the animal
The estimated 10-metre-long whale was reported to authorities on Wednesday afternoon.
The Parks and Wildlife Service says responders are in the water attempting to attach a satellite tag that would allow them to track the whale's movements.
Authorities are urging the public to "stay well clear" of the whale.
It comes amid reports of an increasing number of whales getting entangled in fishing gear off WA's coast.
In its latest annual report, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) said it was seeing an upward trend in animals getting tethered to the sea floor.
"Whale disentanglement and marine animal carcass management has been a key focus across the state in respect to shark risk and public health," the report reads.
Successful whale entanglement rescue missions earlier this year required multi-day operations of tracking the whales, and waiting for them to tire out before getting close enough to cut the tangled ropes.
In July, a humpback whale was disentangled off Broome after a three-day operation, involving Parks and Wildlife officers from the DBCA, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and staff from Willie Creek Pearls.
Lyle Gilbert from the Wildlife District Office said the Broome operation was a challenging task with rescuers working against the tides, strong winds, and sharks.
At the time, WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby applauded the work done by rescuers.
"To see that humpback whale swim away, surge away healthy after that potentially fatal situation, is remarkable," he said.
The DBCA has requested the public to report any sighting of tangled marine animals.
Humpback whales migrate from the state's southern coast each winter to Camden Sound, in the state's north, to mate and give birth.