Boaters spot young humpback anchored in fishing gear off Massachusetts, and rescuers cut it free

Boaters spotted a young humpback whale anchored in fishing gear off Massachusetts, prompting a coordinated disentanglement effort. The whale was found struggling in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and the response began the morning of Sunday, June 14, after recreational boaters alerted the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard’s report led information to NOAA Fisheries and the Center for Coastal Studies, with Massachusetts Environmental Police monitoring the animal until the specialized crew arrived. Responders cut multiple rope loops tangled tightly around the whale’s tail using a hooked blade on a pole, working from behind. The calf stayed near the surface motionless before swimming away on its own. The case was especially serious because the same young humpback had earlier been seen with “deep but healing wounds” from a previous entanglement. The Coast Guard, NOAA Fisheries, and the Center all participated in monitoring and support.