A humpback whale has become entangled in fishing gear about eight miles off the New Jersey coast, the Coast Guard said Wednesday.
The whale is stuck near Sandy Hook, and the Coast Guard has established a 500-yard safety zone around the whale.
According to the New York Times, the whale is about 25 to 30 feet long, and reportedly visible on the surface and breathing, said Barbara Patton, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said. However, the entanglement could be considered life-threatening.
"Entanglement" and "ship (propeller) strikes" are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's biggest problems with marine animals, an NOAA spokeswoman told News 4. About a year ago, the organiation imposed speed limits on ships entering and leaving part of the New York Bight during migration season to minimize the potential for ship strikes.
