DOC is asking people to keep a lookout for a whale, entangled in a cray pot line, last seen off the Kaikōura coast on Friday, 7 February, near Sharks Tooth in South Bay.
DOC staff searched for the whale – most likely a humpback – to disentangle it but have not yet found it. It could have swum as far north along the coast as Picton or as far south as Christchurch.
DOC Operations Manager South Marlborough Stacey Wrenn is asking the public to contact DOC 0800 HOT (0800 362 468) if they see the whale. If anyone in Kaikōura has lost a craypot, please report it anonymously to DOC by the same phone number.
No one should attempt to cut the whale free themselves as this is very dangerous. Boaties spotting the whale should stay clear of it and avoid doing anything to disturb or harass the whale.
"Disentangling marine mammals is highly specialised and dangerous work," Stacey says. "Under no circumstances should members of the public attempt to disentangle the whale or interact with it at all.
"Please provide as much location detail as you can (ideally GPS coordinates, time) and photos if you have them."
Attempts to cut free entangled whales are only carried out when it is safe to do so. It requires sea conditions not being too rough and sufficient daylight hours, as the procedures can take several hours and it's not safe to disentangle whales in darkness.
DOC appreciates the support of Ngāti Kuri and the local whale watching operators as it attempts to locate the whale.
