The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA )
, managed to release an adult Humpback whale which had become entangled in a discarded
fishing net near Faro Viejo (Old
Lighthouse) close to Cabo San Lucas.
The whale was spotted by the tour operator Cabo Expeditions and reported immediately to
the authorities.
The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) were also involved in the effort
along with workers of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas
(CONANP ).
It took about three hours to free the animal and almost all the
net was removed apart from a small piece attached to the caudal fin which was
deemed not to be detrimental to the whale’s survival or quality of life.
Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) are listed on the
Official Mexican Standard NOM- 059- SEMARNAT- 2010 under the category “Subject
to Special Protection” .