A young Humpback whale entangled in fishing gear off South Africa’s Eastern Cape has been freed in a dramatic rescue by SAWDN and NSRI.
East London, South Africa (09 June 2025) – After trailing a large flotation buoy for days, a young Humpback whale caught in a tangle of fishing rope off South Africa’s Eastern Cape has been freed in a daring rescue effort by the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) and the NSRI.
It all began on Friday, 6 June, when sightings of the entangled whale were reported north-east of East London. The animal, suspected to be trailing commercial fishing gear, was moving steadily but slowly through the open waters. With help from coast watchers, NSRI volunteers, and vigilant members of the public, SAWDN was able to keep tabs on the whale’s movements as it continued heading south.
By Saturday morning, thanks to a sharp-eyed aircraft pilot commissioned by Buffalo City Metro Municipality’s Aquarium team, the whale was located offshore of Gulu, near Kidd’s Beach, roughly 15 nautical miles from East London.
NSRI East London’s rescue crew launched their vessel Spirit of DHL, joined by trained SAWDN volunteers, and rushed to the scene. What they found was a juvenile whale, estimated to be 7 to 8 metres in length, with heavy rope wrapped tightly around its tail, dragging a buoy that slowed its progress and clearly left it fatigued.
“The whale seemed lethargic, probably exhausted after towing that heavy buoy for so long,” said NSRI coxswain Geoff McGregor. But there was a moment, he adds when the animal seemed to realise help had arrived.
“After the first cut, it was like the whale understood we were trying to help. It calmed down and gave us a chance to work.”
Using specialised hook knives attached to long poles, the team made four precise cuts to the rope during carefully timed dives close to the animal. The sea was calm, but the tension ran high. At one point, a piece of the critical cutting equipment was lost to the ocean, a costly sacrifice but worth it for the outcome.
With the final cut, the rope and buoy slipped free. The whale, now unburdened, slipped beneath the surface. The crew waited. Minutes passed.
Then, just as they were preparing to leave, the whale resurfaced some distance away, blowing air triumphantly into the crisp morning sky. One last check confirmed that the animal was free and swimming strongly once more.
The rope and buoy retrieved from the sea suggest the gear belonged to a foreign fishing vessel currently far off the coast of South America, a stark reminder of how entangled global fishing practices have become in local marine conservation issues.
SAWDN and maritime authorities are once again urging the public not to approach or attempt to assist entangled whales. Without the buoy, tracking this animal would’ve been nearly impossible, and untrained efforts risk further injury to both the whale and potential rescuers.
Thanks to the skill, courage and cooperation of local authorities, volunteers, and conservation teams, this young whale got a second chance, free once more to navigate the waters of the Eastern Cape and beyond.
The South African Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) was established in 2006 in order to manage entangled whales using specialised equipment and is comprised of trained volunteers. The teams work along the entire South African coastline.
Teams include:
- National Sea Rescue Institute,
- Telkom Maritime Radio Services,
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board,
- Department of Environmental Affairs,
- Centre for Sustainable Oceans at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
- Cape Nature,
- Mammal Research Institute, South African National Parks,
- South African Police Service,
- Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries,
- 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.
Sources: SAWDN
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