The vibes are off for a humpback whale off the coast of Southern California. Passengers on a Harbor Breeze whale-watching tour near Palos Verdes spotted the poor creature last Thursday, and honestly, the footage is heartbreaking. The whale is lowkey trapped in heavy commercial fishing gear wrapped right around its midsection, which is seriously restricting its movement and ability to eat. It’s also making it super difficult for the whale to reach the surface to breathe. Harbor Breeze noted on socials that commercial fishing gear is highkey a major killer of marine life. Wildlife experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tried to step in and save it, but the water conditions and the whale's erratic behavior made it impossible to remove the net or even attach a tracker. It’s a total tragedy, especially since the same whale was seen earlier this summer in Humboldt County and San Luis Obispo without the gear.
The bigger picture
This isn't just an isolated L for the ocean. A recent NOAA report found that 76 large whales were entangled along U.S. coasts in 2025 alone, with 65 of those being humpbacks. California accounted for 27.6% of those reports, leading the country in whale entanglement incidents.
Why it matters
If you happen to spot an entangled whale, please don't try to play hero yourself. The experts say to call the NOAA hotline at 877-767-9425 (877-SOS-WHALE) immediately. Reporting it is the best way to help the rescue pros track and save them.
