A team of rescuers from the Sea World Foundation successfully freed a humpback whale entangled in fishing line off the coast of Australia, in what they described as their “most challenging operation of the season.”

The dramatic rescue unfolded Thursday morning near Brunswick Heads after a member of the public reported the distressed whale. Wrapped tightly around the animal’s tail was a thick rope, leaving the whale struggling to swim freely.

Despite the dangerous conditions — including howling winds and rough seas — the Sea World team crossed the border and launched their rescue mission. Marine mammal specialist Ben Markham said what initially appeared to be a straightforward operation quickly turned into one of their most difficult challenges this year.

“It did look like a bit of a simple one from the start, but we went out there prepared as though it was going to turn out a little bit more difficult,” Markham explained.

After hours of effort, the rescuers finally managed to cut away the rope and set the whale free. The team said they were “pretty stoked with the outcome,” celebrating both the whale’s survival and the teamwork that made it possible.

The rescue highlights the ongoing threat of fishing gear entanglements to marine life and the critical role played by response teams in protecting vulnerable ocean species.