Humpback whale trapped in nets off Dziwnów rescued in successful Baltic Sea operation

In the Międzyzdroje region, within the waters surrounding Wolin National Park, a humpback whale has been spotted entangled in fishing nets. A BSR Dziwnów unit, specializing in maritime rescue and marine wildlife interventions, was immediately dispatched to the scene.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 26.02.2025, 10:49 Reading time: 2 min

Whale entangled in fishing nets with buoys, seen from above — fot. Sebastian Kluska / MSPiR SAR / X

In brief

A humpback whale entangled in fishing nets off the coast of Międzyzdroje, in waters surrounding Woliński National Park, was freed by rescue services. The animal, about 9 to 10 metres long, was rescued after nearly an hour of struggling with the nets, as confirmed by Sebastian Kluska, director of the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service. The operation involved the WWF Blue Patrol, Woliński National Park, WOPR Międzyzdroje, the Maritime Office branch in Świnoujście, the SAR branch in Dziwnów, the Polish Border Guard unit in Świnoujście and local services. The operation was coordinated by the Maritime Office in Szczecin.

Humpback whale trapped in fishing nets in the Baltic Sea. Successful rescue operation

A humpback whale entangled in fishing nets in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea has been freed thanks to an efficient rescue operation.

- The whale has been released, announced Sebastian Kluska, director of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service (MSPiR SAR).

The animal was first spotted by fishermen, who alerted the authorities. Rescuers worked carefully to avoid causing harm. After several hours, they managed to cut the nets and allow the whale to swim away freely.

Previously, we reported:

- The operation is still ongoing, and the animal has not yet been freed. The efforts are highly complex, as we must proceed with extreme caution to avoid causing additional stress or injuries to the humpback. The entire operation is being coordinated by the Maritime Office in Szczecin, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure a successful rescue, said to "Daily Mare" said Sebastian Kluska, Director of the Maritime Search and Rescue Service (SAR), to Daily Mare.

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) have been appearing more frequently in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea, a phenomenon closely monitored by scientists. Encounters with these majestic marine mammals are not only a rare spectacle for wildlife observers but also pose significant challenges in terms of conservation and mitigating threats arising from human activities such as fishing and maritime traffic.

Experts emphasize that every case of marine mammals becoming entangled in fishing gear requires an immediate response. Cooperation between rescue services, environmental organizations, and the fishing community is crucial to preserving the biodiversity of the Baltic Sea. BSR Dziwnów is urging fishermen to adopt modern fishing methods that minimize the risk of accidentally trapping whales and other protected species.

Anyone witnessing similar incidents is urged to promptly notify the relevant authorities to enable a swift and effective intervention for the protection of marine life.

Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier