UPDATE: Blue Whale Entangled in Crab Traps off Southern California Coast

A blue whale is entangled off the coast of Southern California.

"Trained rescue team members including Justin Viezbicke, the California Stranding Network Coordinator with National Marine Fisheries, and Captains Dave Anderson and Tom Southern with Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari are attempting to remove the line," said Dave Anderson, Captain Dave's Orange County disentanglement group. "The whale is trailing what appears to be about 200 feet of line and crab traps from its tail."

Early this morning, Captain Tom Southern, who was operating a commercial whale watching trip for Captain Dave's at the time, came across a blue whale a few miles off the coast of Dana Point.

"Instead of swimming and diving normally, the whale would only raise it's head up as it "logged" near the surface," Anderson said, adding that it looked "almost as if it were sleeping."

Crew members then noticed the line trailing back from the blue whale's tail.

"Members of the rescue team network were immediately notified," Anderson said.

A telemetry buoy has been attached to the whale, which can tell N.O.A.A. where the animal is, should it need to be re-located.

This story will be updated. Please refresh this page to read updates.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A blue whale is currently tangled in crab traps off the coast of Dana Point, according to Captain Dave's Orange County disentanglement group.

"The blue whale is estimated to be about 60 to 7o feet long, is entangled off the coast of Dana Point, today,"

Denielle Conley of Captain Dave’s Orange County disentanglement group said.

Rescue team members from NOAA, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and Captain Dave's Orange County disentanglement group are working together to help disentangle the blue whale from the netting.

It has been confirmed from Captain Dave's whale watching boat that the whale is tangled in crab trap line. Initial reports stated that there are approximately 200 feet of line wrapped around the blue whale's tail.

"Private boats should not approach the animal and or make an attempt to remove any of the line," the release stated.

The public can call 1-877-SOS-WHALe (1-877-767-9425) to notify the proper authorities.

"It is estimated that nearly 308,000 dolphins and whales die from entanglement in fishing gear every year worldwide," the group stated.

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