Wiggins, and his companion Fader, were spotted on Sunday, Sept. 21 by staff on board a Vancouver Island Whale Watch vessel out on the water.
They alerted DFO who dispatched a team to attach a tracking chip to the equipment, however the rescue effort was delayed until more suitable weather conditions materialized.
Staff tracked the animals as they planned the rescue, before finally being able to work alongside the whale throughout much of Wednesday.
“Debris is a real problem for marine wildlife,” the DFO statement read. “The public can help prevent entanglements by cutting packing material, banding, rope and other looped material before disposing of it, and by not be disposing of these materials in the marine environment.”
Those on the water are also required to report any lost gear to DFO through the Fishing Gear Reporting System.
Video: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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