Update: Drama as whale is freed
Some of the safety equipment is still attached to the tail.
Update
KWAZULU-NATAL Sharks Board crew worked hard in choppy conditions to free a southern right whale caught in shark nets off Southbroom on Monday afternoon this week.
It was while trying to free the whale’s tail from the nets that one of the two boats being used was ‘tail-slapped’ by the whale.
All the crew aboard the inflatable rubber duck were thrown from the boat.
One man was concussed and once ashore, taken to hospital, where he received stitches to his chin. Apart from being stiff and sore, he is recovering well.
Although the hull of the boat was cracked, the crew was able to return the boat to base.
The men had a dangerous task trying to free the whale. Southern rights can measure up to 18 metres and weigh up to 60 tonnes. They are also known to be aggressive.
Onlookers commended the men, who spent about four hours freeing the whale.
Although the crew managed to cut the whale free, a piece of the net, together with two red buoys were still attached to the animal’s tail when it was freed.
Buoys are attached to assist in searching and tracking down the whale at a later stage. It is also hoped that the drag caused by the marker buoys will help to free the net from the mammal’s tail.
The Sharks Board’s Mike Anderson-Reade said the buoys also made the animal more visible.
Although the KZN Sharks Board spent three hours searching for the whale and gear yesterday (Wednesday) they were unable to find either.
The public is urged to contact the sharks board at 031 5660400 if they spot the gear.
>>>
KWAZULU-Natal Sharks Board crew yesterday worked hard to free a southern right whale which had become caught in a shark net off Southbroom.
Two boats from the Sharks Board carrying seven crew arrived to assist the mammal, which appeared to have caught its tail in the shark nets.
The distressed whale was seen swimming frantically in circles, trying to escape from the the net.
Although the whale was freed, the net and two buoys are attached to the animal’s tail. Members of the public are asked to keep a lookout for the gear.
There was a lot of drama surrounding the rescue, so watch this space!
