A humpback whale entangled in commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear in Monterey Bay was successfully freed after responders cut away ropes and buoys, according to a media release from Marine Life Studies. Whale watch crews first spotted the entangled whale trailing black and purple lines in late May, posing a life-threatening risk as the lines cut deeply into its tail and flukes.
Response Efforts and Tracking in Monterey Bay
Poor weather initially prevented an immediate rescue after the late May sighting. However, additional sightings and photographs in late June allowed responders to confirm it was the same animal and assess its worsening condition. Whale watchers spotted the humpback—identified in an online database as “The Duchess of Anchovy”—near Moss Landing on July 10 and guided Marine Life Studies’ authorized Whale Entanglement Team to its location. Responders attached telemetry gear to track the whale overnight through adverse weather conditions.
Disentanglement and Gear Recovery Operations
Early the next morning, the rescue team returned to the site. Responders slowed the whale using attached flotation devices, examined the severe entanglement, and made three cuts in the lines. The remaining gear fell away, completely freeing the animal. According to Marine Life Studies, the whale was later observed feeding near Moss Landing.
Lauren Saez, who coordinated the response for NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, highlighted the cooperative nature of the operation. “This was a great example of collaboration both on and off the water,” Saez said, noting that the recovery of the gear enabled state partners to trace it back to the Dungeness crab fishery.
Investigation into the Dungeness Crab Gear
The recovered fishing equipment carried a tag from the 2025-26 Dungeness crab season. NOAA Fisheries announced it is currently working alongside the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to interview the gear owner. Investigators aim to determine exactly when and where the crab gear was set to better understand the factors that led to the dangerous entanglement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the entangled humpback whale identified?
Responders matched photos of the whale to an online database, identifying it as a humpback nicknamed “The Duchess of Anchovy.”
Who led the rescue operation?
Marine Life Studies’ authorized Whale Entanglement Team carried out the rescue, coordinated with support from NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region and state partners.
What happened to the fishing gear after the rescue?
The team successfully recovered the gear, which carried a 2025-26 Dungeness crab season tag, allowing authorities to trace it back to the fishery for further investigation.
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