Humpback Whale has been entangled in rope and buoys off the coast of Victor Harbor at Chiton
A sub-adult 10-metre Humpback Whale was entangled in what appears to be a crayfish pot rope and buoy 800 metres to one kilometre off the coast of Victor Harbor, at Chiton.
The whale was spotted on Monday, April 1, in difficulty with rope and buoys attached to its fins and the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) team began a rescue mission to untangle the whale.
The whale was freed at around 11am, on Wednesday, April 3, and then quickly swam further out to sea.
Volunteer whale spotters monitored the whale throughout Tuesday, April 2. Drone footage was gathered of the whale to better understand the severity of the entanglement. Four vessels carrying 14 people, rescue gear and equipment headed out approximately one kilometre from Chiton Rocks to assess the whale before cutting rope to free it.
The DEW rescue team assessing the situation.
DEW co-ordinator of whale disentanglement Verity Gibbs said this is the first successful whale disentanglement for South Australia.
"Exercises such as this are complex. It is a relief and such an accomplishment for the team to walk away with the whale completely untangled and able to swim off," Mrs Gibbs said.
"We had a great team of rangers, who worked with marine scientists, fisheries and marine safety officers who all helped make this disentanglement possible with a successful result.
"I want to make special mention of the department's Kangaroo Island ranger Paul Jennings. He provided great insight for the rescue from his years of experience freeing entangled whales off the coast of Western Australia - he was a true asset to this rescue mission."
The Humpback Whale with the buoys attached off the coast of the Chiton Surf Life Saving Club. Photo: Gabrielle Duykers.
The 14-member team included 10 DEW staff, two fisheries officers from Primary Industries and Regions SA and two marine safety officers from the Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.
The team from DEW, who are highly trained, said it was no fault of the fishing community, as it is crayfish season. The Whale Centre in Victor Harbor said it was unusual to have a whale in south coast waters this early in the season.
The Humpback breaching. Photo: Gabrielle Duykers.