Spotters on lookout for whale saved from nets

The rescuers of a whale trapped in crayfish nets in Gordon's Bay - and still trailing some rope - are keeping a lookout and believe they will spot it again soon.

The Southern Right whale was rescued on Saturday by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), marine and coastal management and police divers.

The NSRI was alerted from the whale lookout point at Gordon's Bay at 11am.

Police diver Eben Lourens was pulled through the water by the 12m whale while trying to cut 60kg of rope and buoys to free it.

NSRI Gordon's Bay station commander Stuart Burgess said the rescue was dangerous but had been a success.

Although the whale still had some rope attached to it, it was out of harm's way.

"If we had to remove all of the rope, we would have to get a lot closer to the whale and that would not be too safe," said Burgess.

"The whale was in a much better condition once we removed the rope and we are hopeful that the rest of the rope will come loose."

"It will not cause any harm."

He added that the whale had not been spotted since Saturday, but they are on the lookout for it.

"We will probably see it in the next few days because whales tend to stay in one place for about a month or two," said Burgess.

The whale was first spotted on July 14.

There have been various sightings over the past few weeks.

Source: www.iol.co.za