Rescue teams monitoring entangled humpback whale seen off Orange County coast

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. - A humpback whale, first observed in the waters off Newport Beach on Monday, Dec. 2, has become the focus of a rescue operation after being found entangled in discarded rope. The whale, estimated to be over 40 feet long and weighing nearly 60,000 pounds, was initially spotted by whale-watching boats from Davey’s Locker and Newport Landing.

The entanglement was discovered on Sunday when the whale breached near one of the boats, revealing rope tightly wrapped around its right flipper and extending into its mouth. Disentanglement teams were promptly notified and attempted to free the whale, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The whale was last seen on Tuesday, Dec. 10, moving passively through the area without breaching. Since then, it has not been sighted, but local whale-watching crews remain vigilant, ready to alert rescue teams if the whale reappears.

An official with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said rescue efforts have been difficult and that since the whale is free swimming (tail not involved in entanglement) and often not in the best mood), the operation can become dangerous for responders. 

Humpback whales, known for their curiosity and social nature, are frequently entangled in marine debris. Experts note that entangled whales often breach in attempts to free themselves, but the rope in this case is tightly wrapped around the whale's pectoral fin, making self-liberation unlikely without human intervention.