Humpback whale dies after becoming entangled in crayfish pot rope

Saturday 13 December 2025 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated Sat 13 Dec 2025, 1:14pm

In this story Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand

A humpback whale has died after getting caught in a crayfish pot rope off the Northland coast. This is the first recorded death of a humpback whale in New Zealand caused by entanglement with a rock lobster pot buoy rope.

How they headlined it

First reported by The Press, Sat 13 Dec 2025, 4:00am · 2 reports from 2 outlets over 9 hours

The Press via The PostSat 13 Dec 2025, 4:00am

Humpback whale dies in craypot rope (opens in new tab)
RNZSat 13 Dec 2025, 1:14pm

Humpback whale dies after being caught in rope (opens in new tab)
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