The Department of Conservation said the whale was reported by fishers on Saturday morning and was last seen between Lucky Point and Saddle Point in the afternoon.
Staff were working to assess the situation and determine ways to disentangle the mammal, Doc said in a statement yesterday.
The whale appeared to be breathing comfortably and was not in immediate danger, giving responders time to assess the situation and determine the safest course of action.
Doc Stewart Island operations manager Jennifer Ross asked for anyone who saw the whale to contact Doc on its helpline, 0800362-468, immediately.
‘‘No-one should attempt to cut the whale free themselves as this is very dangerous.
‘‘Boaties spotting the whale should stay well clear of it and avoid doing anything to disturb or harass the animal,’’ she said.
People who have seen the whale were asked to provide as much location detail as possible, including GPS co-ordinates, the time of the sighting, direction of travel and photos if they can be taken safely from a distance.
Doc said southern right whale disentanglements were more complex than humpback whale entanglements, which were the type its responders encounter most often in New Zealand.
Their large size and different behaviour can add an extra layer of complexity and risk to any response operation.
A specialist whale disentanglement responder from Kaikōura was expected to arrive on Stewart Island yesterday to assist with the response.
If conditions allowed and the whale could be safely approached, responders would look at attaching a satellite tracking buoy to help relocate and monitor the animal, Doc said. — Allied Media
