Humpback Whale Entangled In Net Breaks Free In Hamptons

SAGAPONACK, NY — An entangled humpback whale found 75' offshore in Sagaponack appears to have broken free.

According to Rachel Bosworth of the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, a report came in Monday about the whale; the AMCS team was onsite to assess the situation and worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Center for Coastal Studies and local authorities to formulate a response plan involving highly trained responders and safety equipment.

However, when AMCS, with support from Southampton Town bay constables and the United States Coast Guard Station Shinnecock, went on the water to look for the whale, as of 5:30 p.m., the whale was not seen in the area, Bosworth said.

Southampton Town Police said, at 1:17 p.m. Monday, bay constables responded to the site, where a humpback whale was reported to be entangled in a fishing net approximately a quarter mile southwest of Townline Beach in Sagaponack; bay constables protected the animal while working with the AMCS, DEC and federal authorities including NOAA and USCG.

Police used their unmanned aerial system to monitor and videotape the whale's activity.

"A recent inspection of the fishing net revealed the whale apparently freed itself," police said. "A follow up investigation is continuing to assure the safety of the whale."

Bosworth added: "If the whale did free itself, there is a possibility it still may be entangled in some gear. We will continue to monitor the area and encourage the public to report any new sightings of this whale immediately by calling the NYS Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829," she said.

And, should it be spotted again, entangled, Bosworth offered safety tips: "As this is a live animal, every necessary precaution to ensure the safety of responders and public must be taken. Disentanglement procedures are extremely dangerous."

AMCS urged the public, including swimmers, surfers, and boaters, to keep a minimum distance of at least 150' at all times for safety as well as to not stress the animal and cause further harm. Whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the AMCS said, and it is illegal to approach them. Whales in distress can also be dangerous, as they are unpredictable and very powerful; people have been seriously injured or killed trying to help, which is another reason people are asked to wait for trained responders, AMCS said.

The best thing to do to help a marine mammal in distress, Bosworth said, is to call the NOAA hotline at 866-755-6622 or a local stranding response partner, and stand by the animal until help arrives. The New York State stranding hot line number is 631-369-9829.

After hearing about the entangled whale, resident April Gornik was outraged. "I am so upset I can barely breathe," she wrote. "We saw a whale at Townline yesterday evening — magnificent." After learning that it had become entangled, she was livid.

The situation, she said, was heartbreaking. And, after learning of the outcome, Gornik said: "It broke free — thank God!"