A number of services combined to rescue a 14.5m entangled humpback whale sighted off Forresters Beach on July 4.
The distressed animal was first spotted by a Marine Rescue vessel at 10.30am, entangled in fishing gear, and reported to ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The Marine Rescue vessel remained with the whale, tracking its location and movements as it continued travelling north.
Drone footage provided by ORRCA confirmed rope, netting and buoys were wrapped around the whale’s tail and allowed the NPWS team to assess the animal’s condition and behaviour.
The experienced NPWS Large Whale Disentanglement Team was on the water by 1pm and, after several carefully executed approaches, crew members were able to cut the entangling gear free by 3.30pm.
The retrieved gear has been retained and may assist in identifying its owner.
Within just hours of the initial report, the whale was successfully disentangled – an outstanding result and a testament to the value of rapid reporting and strong interagency co-ordination.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Hunter Central Coast Branch Acting Director Mitch Carter said the rescue was an outstanding collaborative effort.
“Every successful disentanglement is the result of extensive training, careful planning and teamwork,” he said.
“The quick reporting of the entanglement, favourable conditions and the ability to confirm the nature of the entanglement using drone footage all contributed to a rapid and successful response.
“The whale presented some challenges on the water, particularly as it was not lifting its tail as expected, but the skill and persistence of the crew ultimately resulted in the gear being safely removed.”
Four other entangled whales were reported across the NSW coastline on the same day, highlighting the increasing pressure on responders during the humpback migration.
ORRCA works hand in hand with NSW National Parks throughout every disentanglement response.
As a licensed marine mammal rescue organisation with four decades of experience, ORRCA assists in co-ordinating reports, gathering real-time intelligence, tracking whale movements and supporting operational decision-making to give specialist responders the best possible opportunity for a successful outcome.
If you see a whale that appears entangled, report it immediately to ORRCA on 9415 3333.
Every sighting, photo and update helps build the intelligence needed to co-ordinate a response.
This article appeared in Coast Community News, 9 July 2026.
