Concerns are mounting for a whale that became entangled in cable on Sunday afternoon, sparking an urgent rescue response from surf lifesaving crews.
The distressed marine mammal was first spotted from the shore around 2pm, with drone footage capturing the smaller whale dragging a line with floats attached near Magic Point at the southern end of Maroubra Beach in Sydney’s east.
A surf lifesaving inflatable boat was quickly deployed to keep watch behind the struggling whale, with a larger surf rescue boat and crew dispatched to assist the operation.
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However, the rescue effort hit a setback when crews appeared to lose track of the entangled whale during the mission.
An extensive search was launched along the coastline, covering areas including Malabar and Little Bay, but the whale could not be relocated.
The whale was first spotted shortly after 2pm on Sunday. Credit: 7NEWS
Surf Rescue has now handed the matter over to National Parks and Wildlife Service to continue monitoring the situation.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about marine debris and fishing equipment posing threats to whale populations along the NSW coast.
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