A second entangled whale has been spotted in Northland waters.
On Wednesday, Department of Conservation staff freed a 12-metre whale that had become entangled in fishing rope and netting in Doubtless Bay the previous day.
Rescuers in two boats managed to hook on to a piece of nylon cord tangled around the whale's midriff and tail in a tricky process known as kegging.
They then spent most of Wednesday being towed behind the whale waiting for it to tire and were able to get close enough to cut it free late in the afternoon.
DoC says the whale headed out to sea immediately after its release.
However, a second whale was sighted on Wednesday morning with a rope and a clear plastic buoy around its mouth.
DoC spokesperson Carolyn Smith says the whale was last seen near Moturua Island in the Bay of Islands and rescuers hope to help it on Thursday morning.
If the weather is favourable, a spotter plane will locate the mammal and two boats will be sent to help free it, she says.
