Whale tangled in rope off Cottesloe Beach visibly distressed as DBCA crew races to cut gentle giant free

Rescuers have freed a whale entangled in ropes off the coast in Perth’s south.

The dramatic rescue unfolded over several tense hours on Saturday afternoon after a member of the public at North Mole in Fremantle spotted an eight-metre long whale caught in fishing rope about 2pm.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions immediately responded to the report, dispatching the DK Coughran from Fremantle.

While the crew of six was en route, Fremantle Sea Rescue and Whitfords Sea Rescue managed locate the whale off Cottesloe and stayed with it until the Parks and Wildlife Service team arrived.

Entangled in fishing rope, the whale — believed to be a young adult — was visibly struggling.

Beach-goers reported seeing it surfacing repeatedly as it swam just metres from shore.

T