Rescuers free humpback whale from most fishing line off San Clemente

Rescue teams freed a young humpback whale from most of the fishing line wrapped around its body and tail off San Clemente on Sunday, Oct. 18, according to NBC Los Angeles. Underwater video confirmed the successful disentanglement the following day.

The Laguna Beach-based Pacific Marine Mammal Center described the operation as the first successful whale disentanglement off Southern California this year. The Orange County rescue comes as the center reports an increase in whale entanglements along the West Coast.

A fisherman spotted the whale about five miles offshore around 9:30 a.m., NBC Los Angeles reported. Responders later located it near the San Clemente Pier and used drones and underwater cameras to examine the tangled line.

The whale was approximately 29 feet long and caught in about 100 feet of fishing line. Footage showed multiple layers wrapped around its underside, tail fluke and peduncle, the area connecting the body to the tail.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Entangled Whale Response Orange County and SeaWorld San Diego took part in the response. Rescuers cut sections of line shortly before 3:30 p.m., allowing the whale to shake off most of it after several deep dives, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The whale had a scar on its peduncle but appeared healthy, according to the center. Officials said entanglements can interfere with swimming, feeding and breathing and can be fatal.

NBC Los Angeles reported 46 confirmed whale entanglements along the West Coast so far in 2026. NOAA scientists said the increase might be linked to extreme El Niño conditions.

Anyone who spots an entangled marine mammal is urged to call the Entanglement Reporting Hotline at 1-877-767-9425, according to NBC Los Angeles.