Sicily: Sperm Whale Caught in Illegal Fishing Net

A sperm whale has become entangled in an illegal fishing net near the Aeolian Islands off Sicily. Since the weekend, the Italian Coast Guard has been working alongside biologists and other rescuers to free the approximately ten-metre-long animal.

According to Italian media reports from Monday, the animal is believed to be a female sperm whale. The Coast Guard released a video showing a diver cutting away parts of the net with a knife. The rescuers faced considerable difficulties freeing the distressed and frightened animal — partly due to its size.

Nevertheless, progress had been made, it was reported. A substantial portion of the net had been successfully removed, according to the newspaper «La Repubblica». Rescuers then attached a buoy with a flashing light to the whale's tail in order to track the animal even in the dark. However, they were forced to suspend the operation on Sunday evening and planned to resume on Monday. The Coast Guard off Sicily initially declined to provide information on Monday about the situation and the condition of the whale.

Sperm Whales: Deep Divers and an Endangered Species

Sperm whales belong to the group of toothed whales. These mammals are found in many of the world's oceans and are capable of diving to great depths. They feed on squid and cuttlefish, among other prey. In recent months, whales have repeatedly been spotted near the Aeolian Islands. Around three weeks ago, what was believed to be a male animal also became entangled in a net but was successfully freed, according to media reports.

Illegal Fishing Nets Threaten Marine Animals

Fishermen in Italy still occasionally use so-called spadara nets, even though they have long been prohibited. These are a type of drift net that can be enormous in size. Such cases of Wildlife Crime show how little legal protection holds up in practice.

The Coast Guard announced that since January it had seized over 100 kilometers of illegal nets in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea; such nets are similar to the one in which the sperm whale became entangled on Saturday.

The organization stated in a Facebook post that it had stepped up its efforts to combat illegal fishing. The protection of marine animals is a central concern of environmental and nature conservation.