Rescuers free humpback whale trapped in fishing nets off Poland’s Baltic coast

The rare sighting of a humpback whale in the Baltic Sea drew attention from scientists and ecologists.

A humpback whale became stranded about 80 meters from the shore in Międzyzdroje, a coastal town in northwestern Poland, tangled in fishing nets. Rescue teams, including Poland’s Maritime Search and Rescue Service (SAR), local firefighters, and WOPR lifeguards, worked alongside WWF Poland volunteers to free the animal.

Photo: Martime Search and Rescue Service (SAR)

A humpback whale tangled in fishing nets near Międzyzdroje, a coastal town in northwestern Poland, was successfully freed on February 26, 2025.

Rescue teams, including Poland’s Maritime Search and Rescue Service (SAR), WOPR Międzyzdroje, local firefighters, and WWF Poland volunteers, worked together to release the whale.

WWF spokesperson Agnieszka Veljković confirmed the rescue to Polish Radio, stating that the whale was freed and swam away toward the Danish Straits, where it could return to the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

The operation was challenging due to the whale’s size and distress. Initially, the animal was frightened, but after a second attempt, it calmed down and cooperated with rescuers.

The whale was even larger than the rescue boat. Experts believe this was a young humpback, approximately 5 meters in length. Its presence in the Baltic Sea is highly unusual, making the event particularly significant for marine biologists and environmentalists.

Humbak długopłetwiec oceaniczny ?￰ﾟﾘﾮ o długości około 5 metrów utknął ok. 80 metrów od brzegu w Międzyzdrojach. Jest...

Opublikowany przez Pomorze Zachodnie Środa, 26 lutego 2025

(m p)

Source: IAR/SAR/WWF/Polskie Radio/Facebook.com/PomZachodnie