The Department of Conservation is asking New Zealanders to keep a lookout for a humpback whale tangled in a fishing line, last seen off the bottom of the South Island.
The whale was seen by a fishing boat crew at Knife and Steel Harbour on Saturday, RNZ reports.
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The whale is believed to be entangled in a craypot line. The line appeared to be wrapped around the whale's pectoral fin and tail stock, trailing 20-30m behind it.
DOC says the whale is moving and is likely to travel up either the east or west coast of the South Island.
DOC is urging Kiwis to report any sightings of the whale so teams can disentangle the humpback.
They warn boaties who may see the whale not to cut the rope off on their own. They suggest instead staying with the whale, monitoring it and advising DOC of its location.
Another humpback entangled in a fishing line was reported off the Otago coast in late March, which was successfully freed.
Anyone who sees the whale should call DOC's 24-hour hotline 0800 DOCHOT / 0800 36 24 68.
Newshub.
