DOC appeals for sightings of entangled whale

Photo / AP

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is appealing for sightings of a humpback whale which has been entangled with a craypot line and buoy.

The whale has not been seen since Monday when DOC rangers and a whale expert saw it floating off Banks Peninsula.

DOC biodiversity ranger Derek Cox said today a rope, which was attached to a craypot buoy, was wrapped around the whale's tail.

DOC workers saw the whale on Monday but no attempt was made to get in to the water and set it free due to safety concerns.

A diver died in Kaikoura eight years ago after going to aid of a whale entangled in rope.

"The method these days is to actually do it from a boat," Mr Cox said.

He said the whale was not in any "real danger" but would get tired out by the rope.

Anyone who saw the whale was asked to contact DOC so staff could attempt to free whale.

He said the whale would be migrating north to breeding grounds in either Tonga or Australia and could be any where along the South Island's coast north of Banks Peninsula.

It could come close to shore to have a rest.

- NZPA