A whale has been discovered trapped in a rope at a fish farm off the Isle of Skye as efforts are underway to conduct a rescue mission. The humpback whale was sighted in distress by a member of the public who promptly alerted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) around 8.30 am on Thursday. The BDMLR has confirmed that the whale is alive and teams are currently on-site at the Invertote salmon farm near Rigg on Skye, working to free the entangled mammal. A photo released by the charity shows the whale at the water’s surface with green rope entangled around its head next to a white buoy.
The BDMLR has mobilised a large whale disentanglement team from various locations in the UK to assist in the rescue operation. The organisation, along with local community members and emergency services, are diligently working towards liberating the distressed whale safely and efficiently. The public has been advised to refrain from approaching the area to allow uninterrupted rescue operations.
Organic Sea Harvest, the operator of the Invertote farm, has confirmed the suspension of regular farming activities to facilitate the rescue efforts. They have promptly informed the Scottish Government and relevant agencies about the situation and have marine mammal divers from the BDMLR on site. While marine mammals like dolphins and whales are commonly seen near salmon farms, the occurrence of such entanglements is exceptionally rare.
Humpback whales, such as the one in question, are known to inhabit oceans globally and can reach lengths of up to 18 metres and weigh up to 40 tonnes. The BDMLR has a history of successful disentanglement missions, having freed a humpback whale previously entangled in Loch Fyne. Current efforts are focused on safely freeing the trapped whale while ensuring its well-being throughout the operation.
In summary, a rescue mission is underway to free a humpback whale entangled in a rope at a fish farm off the Isle of Skye. Conservationists and experts are on-site working to ensure the safe liberation of the distressed whale, with operations ongoing to facilitate its release from the entanglement. Efforts are being made to avoid disruptions from public movements near the farm to ensure the success of the rescue mission and the well-being of the whale.