A sperm whale was entangled in a gill net on 21 June 2002 in Fethiye, Turkey (Aegean Sea). It was female and 12 m in length. Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) experts organized the rescue operation and the animal was rescued after 3 hours. The net was cut and removed from the whale’s lower jaw and tail fluke. Turkish navy divers joined in the rescue operation.

Thankfully, the whale is now safe and seems to be okay but this is just another classic example of how these marine mammals are suffering because of imprecise fishing methods.

All pictures copyright Ayhan Dede from TUDAV. You can find the documentary film about the rescue operation in the videos section.