Fisherman key in freeing entangled humpback whale
MOSS LANDING, Calif. — Officials say a fisherman spotted a distressed humpback whale that was entangled in the Monterey Bay and followed the animal until rescuers arrived, helping to save its life.
California Whale Rescue director Kathy Koontz told the Monterey Herald the whale would have died if the fisherman John Favazza hadn’t stayed with it.
She says Favazza was on his boat when he saw the 35-foot-long humpback whale entangled with crabbing gear.
The whale had nylon rope from a crab trap tangled around its mouth and other parts of its body. A team worked for five hours until to free the animal April 21.
Kootnz says without help the whale would have died from her injuries.