Video shows Heiltsuk guardians disentangling humpback whale off B.C. coast

Video shows an effort to free an entangled humpback whale near the B.C. community of Bella Bella.

A humpback whale has been freed after getting tangled in prawn fishing gear off the B.C. coast this week.

Two fishermen found the cetacean entangled in their gear Wednesday near Troup Passage, north of the coastal community of Bella Bella, and called for help from Heiltsuk Nation guardians.

Social media video shows the guardians—environmental stewards who patrol the coast, and are trained to help with disentanglements—delicately working to cut the gear wrapped around the massive creature.

William Housty, director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department, said the process took hours, but that the humpback ultimately swam free thanks to the work of guardians Doug Newman and Josh Vickers.

At some point during the rescue, the whale “appeared to understand that the guardians were there to assist,” Housty added.

“The whale laid quite still, allowing the boat to come up beside it while lines were cut,” he said. “At one point the whale even rolled, helping the crew remove the lines.”

Experts say entanglements are common, particularly over the summer as large numbers of humpbacks return to the B.C. coast.

The incidents can pose a serious risk to whales, as fishing gear can impede their ability to feed and travel—and sometimes leave deep wounds if not removed.

With files from The Canadian Press