The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The young female, born during the 2008-09 calving season and estimated at nearly 10 metres, was swimming off the coast of Florida on Christmas Day when it was spotted by an aerial survey team. It was dragging fishing rope and wire mesh.
Five days later, a team from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was able to remove 46 metres of rope. But an additional 15 metres remained wrapped through its mouth and around its flippers.
So scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with state and
oopo non-profit group scientists, tracked the animal via satellite tag to see if it could shed the remaining rope on its own.
