A humpback whale has been rescued after dragging 46m of fishing line and buoys through waters off the NSW South Coast.

The whale was spotted near Batemans Bay, about 280km south of Sydney, trailing fishing line and buoys, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Marine Rescue NSW and ORRCA worked together on Saturday to free the animal.

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The teams successfully removed 46m of trailing line, two buoys and seaweed weighing a combined 13kg, allowing the whale to resume more natural movement.

“Following the disentanglement, the whale was observed moving faster and responding positively,” the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) said.

Vision captured as part of the NSW Right Whale ID Program shows rescuers working from a vessel to remove the entanglement.

Rescuers worked from a vessel to remove the entanglement. Credit: DCCEEW

“Disentangling marine wildlife is a complex and dangerous operation that requires highly trained operators, specialist equipment and suitable conditions to safely approach and assist animals at sea,” DCCEEW said. 

ORRCA (Organisation for the Rescue & Research of Cetaceans in Australia) president Ashley Ryan said the prompt response helped save the whale’s life.

“Whale entanglements remain one of the most significant threats faced by migrating humpback whales along our coastline. These incidents can quickly become life-threatening, which is why rapid reporting and a coordinated response are so critical,” Ryan said. 

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service incident controller Andrew Wall urged the public to report any entangled whales.

“This was a fantastic outcome for this whale and a great example of the importance of rapid reporting and coordinated response efforts by a variety of specially trained teams,” he said. 

“If you see an entangled whale, please report its location, direction and speed to NPWS on 1300 072 757 or the ORRCA Rescue Hotline on 02 9415 3333.”