Fishermen Video Brave Rescue Of Sperm Whale Trapped In Fishing Nets

This dramatic video shows a boat full of fishermen desperately trying to rescue a young whale trapped in fishing nets.

The boat was passing through the area of Cabo Blanco, in the north-western Peruvian department of Piura, when they spotted the trapped Sperm Whale.

Trapped - the whale was struggling to breathe as it floated in the water (Pictures: CEN)

As the exhausted whale struggles for breath, the fishermen frantically use their knives to cut away the pieces of net wrapped around its fin and tail.

They even put themselves at risk, holding on to each other to avoid falling out of the boat during the two-hour rescue.

Rescue - the fishermen frantically cut through the nets to free the whale

Eventually the men were able to free the whale and posted a video of the rescue on social media.

They’ve been praised by thousands of users as well as the local government who say it will honour them in a public ceremony.

The fishermen claim this was the third whale they had freed from nets in ten days.

Indira Fabian Ferrer, regional director of Production in Piura, said the case is an example of why it is important to carry out sustainable and responsible fishing to preserve marine nature.

She said: “The fishermen uploaded this video to show what they went through at sea.

“But the underlying message is the sensibility they showed in not attacking or catching the whale, but on the contrary showing bravery by approaching it and helping it to get untangled and be free.”