At 05h30, Wednesday, 15th January, SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) volunteers were activated following reports from fishermen to NSRI Lamberts Bay of a whale entangled in fishing rope lines in the vicinity off-shore of Lamberts Bay on the West Coast.
SAWDN Cape Town volunteers from NSRI Headquarters responded to join SAWDN Lamberts Bay volunteers and the NSRI Lamberts Bay duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis.
On arrival on the scene, an adult 10-meter Humpback whale was found entangled in fishing rope anchored to the seabed.
The SAWDN specialised cutting equipment was used and all fishing line was cut free from the whale and recovered and the whale, appearing to be healthy and appearing to swim away confidently and SAWDN are satisfied that this operation was successful.
The South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) was established in 2006 in order to manage entangled whales using specialized equipment and is comprised of trained volunteers from the – National Sea Rescue Institute, KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries, Centre for Sustainable Oceans at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Nature, Mammal Research Institute, South African National Parks, South African Police Service, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, Cape Nature, Bayworld, various Boat Based Whale Watching and Shark Cage Diving Operators, the Rock Lobster Industry and the Octopus Industry and fully supported by the Dolphin Action and Protection Group.
SAWDN COVERS THE ENTIRE SA COASTLINE
Whales assisted to date: 196
Released by:
Craig Lambinon
Spokesperson – SOUTH AFRICAN WHALE DISENTANGLEMENT NETWORK (SAWDN)
Cell: 082 380 3800
To subscribe to this press release please email: communications@searescue.org.za
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