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Whale entangled in BVI waters freed

Photo of entangled whale as divers observe (Photo credit: Commercial Dive Services)

The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries is reporting that a male humpback whale entangled in a net in the Sir Francis Drake’s Channel this week has now been freed.

The department indicated the whale was freed after somehow shaking the net loose.

“We were concerned that the whale could drown from being caught in the net … Ghost fishing nets and other marine debris can result in the death of marine animals, so we have to be vigilant about what we discard in the ocean,” said Agriculture & Fisheries’ Ken Pemberton.

The department said whales frequent the warm waters of the Caribbean during the winter months to mate and give birth.

“Several sightings have been reported,” it further indicated.

Meanwhile, Agriculture & Fisheries said male humpback in questioned was reportedly in the company of a female and her calf and did not appear in distress when last seen.

Marine authorities first received reports of the the entangled whale south of Nanny Cay, Tortola on Monday, April 12.

Dr Shannon Gore of the Association of Reef Keepers was said to be a key responder who quickly arranged with Blue Water Divers to mobilise a vessel to search for the mammal.

“The divers were able to see that there was about 50 feet of line left on the whale. The whale went into shallow water to try and rid itself of the line by rubbing itself on the seafloor. But it was not in a position that it could not move.” She added. “It is possible that the line drifted in from the open ocean but if you do see a large patch of debris in the water let us know. We can be reached at 496-7998,” she stated.

Government has extended thanks to Dr Gore, Husky Salvage, Blue Water Divers, Chris Juredin of Commercial Dive Services, and VISAR.

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11 Comments

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  1. Yes says:

    I am so glad the whale was freed. Thank you to everyone that was involved in the rescue mission. Very much appreciated.

    Like 33
  2. V4 says:

    Awesome job, well done Shannon and all the others
    Some good news at last…

    Like 10
  3. ? says:

    I’m sure the whale is to!?

  4. Thank You says:

    Everyone did a excellent and professional job freeing that beautiful creature. Whales are very smart.

  5. hear yea hear yea says:

    OKAY TELL BRITAIN FREE WE NOW

  6. Drown? says:

    “..afraid the whale would drown..”. Wrong choice of words is all I have to say. Suffocate is a better word.

    • steps says:

      You do realize a whale is a mammal and needs to breathe oxygen from the air to survive, just as humans do when they swim. It’s not a fish with gills. If the net prevented the whale from surfacing to breath air it would DROWN. Moo Moo

  7. @ hear yea hear yea says:

    You are the only slave left. Free yourself.

  8. Something boiling up says:

    Whale must be escaping hot lava under sea. People take note. Wise as serpent gentle as dove.

  9. look out says:

    huh happy for the whale. but you know what this means now.. for the last few months the government only coming up with new fees and ways to charge for everything which sending men to rob and women to the whore houses. guess they will bring a whale tax for us to pay now.. smh

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