http://usresponserestoration.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/untangling-both-a-whale-and-why-marine-life-get-mixed-up-with-our-trash/

Untangling Both a Whale and Why Marine Life Get Mixed up With Our Trash

October 29, 2014 by Ashley Braun

In the United States alone, scientific reports show at least 115
different species of marine life have gotten tangled up?literally?in the
issue of marine debris. And when you look across the globe that number
jumps to 200 species. Those animals affected range from marine mammals
and sea turtles to sea birds, fish, and invertebrates.

Sadly, a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) swimming in the blue
waters off of Maui, Hawaii, got first-hand experience with this issue in
February 2014. Luckily, trained responders from the Hawaiian Islands
Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary were able to remove the long
tangle of fishing rope wrapped around the whale?s head, mouth, and right
pectoral fin. According to NOAA?s National Marine Sanctuaries:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb4-cRzbHvBJyBiN4yw4FQXX4yV0dDjZp

Entangled Humpback Whale Freed from Marine Debris - Maui 02.19.14

http://youtu.be/1YmZMdF5bA8

Humpback Whale Cut Free from Marine Debris - Maui 02.19.14 (Part 1)

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Published on 21 Feb 2014

On Feb. 19, 2014, trained responders from Hawaiian Islands Humpback
Whale National Marine Sanctuary disentangled a humpback whale from
life-threatening marine debris off Maui.

This video shows the entangled whale just before the response effort.
Find out more at http://go.usa.gov/BsMe

Credit: J. Moore - NOAA MMHSRP Permit #932-1905

http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries