The Coast Guard announced Wednesday they have received reports of a Fin Whale entangled in fishing line in the vicinity of the San Pedro Channel.
The whale was spotted by boaters twice this week.
Long Beach Captain Dan Salas of Harbor Breeze Cruises captured images of the whale snared in the fishing net as the beast swam through a channel in the Long Beach Harbor.
The whale was last sighted on January 13th heading west from Long Beach.
Mariners are asked to report sightings of the whale to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by calling 562-980-4017 or by contacting the Coast Guard on marine channel 16.
Mariners are reminded to allow the whale a wide berth and not to attempt to untangle or free the whale.
Collisions with whales or sightings of injured whales should be reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at (562) 980-4017. Boaters can contact the U.S. Coast Guard on Channel 16.
For more information on U.S. Coast Guard living marine resource protection please see http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opl/LMR/LMR.htm
For more information on Blue Whales from NOAA, please see http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/bluewhale.htm
