A female humpback whale is fighting for her life after getting tangled in a long line near Tonga. The controversial fishing lines, which can be several miles long, are often left floating in deep waters. Baited hooks are placed along the lines, snaring unsuspecting turtles, sharks and whales.
Tony Wu, photographer and diver, spotted the whale on August 11th off of Vava’u in the South Pacific. Wu said the whale was entirely wrapped in the net and said it was like “watching a human trying to swim when they had their arms tied to their body.”
Although she has broken free, part of the line is still wrapped around her pectoral fins and body. The line is cutting into her flesh and several hooks remain in her body as well. Injured and bleeding, the distressed whale is also a prime target for predators. With sharks in the area, Wu was unable to help but was able to take several disturbing photographs of the distressed whale.
Sadly, humpback whales are often entangled in fishing gear, which is often fatal.
Photo Richard Fisher on Flickr
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