Rescuers free roped whale

A humpback whale that was entangled in ropes was freed by mussel farm workers last night. Photo / supplied

A humpback whale seen in Queen Charlotte Sound entangled in ropes has been freed after swimming into a mussel farm last night.

Department of Conservation spokeswoman Trish Grant told NZPA workers at a mussel farm in Tory Channel managed to cut a rope to free the whale.

"They saw the whale looking pretty exhausted and made a judgement call to try to cut it free.

"They had lots of bright lights and saw it swim off.

"It's not something we'd recommend people do themselves but it turned out well and they did a great job," Ms Grant said.

A specialist team from DOC had set off from Picton this morning to find the whale before they were told the whale had been freed.

Attempts to free it yesterday had to be abandoned when darkness fell.

- NZPA