Sperm whale dies after becoming entangled in fishing ropes

A sperm whale has died after becoming entangled in fishing ropes.

The 15-metre-long whale was originally spotted on Thursday, February 27, off the east coast of Skye.

This was reported to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which dispatched the dedicated large whale disentanglement team.

Working with drones and several boats, the team assessed the whale’s condition and found several fishing lines wrapped around it, trailing 10m to 20m of rope.

Due to poor weather conditions, the team had to make a number of trips out until they were able to mostly disentangle the whale before it swam away.

On Monday, March 3, 2025, BDMLR received report of a sperm whale very close to shore at Raasay Island. Norman Gillies/BDMLR

But on Monday, the BDMLR was called to a report of a sperm whale very close to shore at Raasay Island.

With some ropes wrapped around the whale, it was believed to be the same animal that the disentanglement team attended to at the weekend.

“We received footage showing the whale grounded in the shallows, still breathing but stationary,” a spokesperson said.

“As the tide receded, the whale was pushed onto its side and was almost completely stranded at low tide.

“This revealed the extent of the rest of the entanglement which wrapped around the whale’s lower jaw and again around its head.

“Whilst our marine mammal medics were dispatched and on their way to the island, a well-meaning member of the public cut away the ropes in order to relieve the whale that at this point was still breathing.”

BDMLR said it would never recommend any untrained person to attempt the disentanglement of any animal, particularly of this size due to the dangers involved.

It was hoped the whale would refloat itself as the tide rushed back in around it, but after being disentangled it only took one more noticeable breath.

With some ropes wrapped around the whale, it was believed to be the same animal that the disentanglement team attended to at the weekend. Norman Gillies/BDMLR

“When our medics arrived, they monitored for a while to confirm whether the whale was still alive or not (sperm whales can hold their breath for up to two hours), but the lack of movement as the tide drew further in suggested that the whale had passed away,” a BDMLR spokesperson said.

“As the rope was tightly wrapped around its mouth restricting its ability to feed, the whale may have been malnourished for some time.”

The Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) with the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (SEA) will attempt to take samples and assess the cause of death, weather permitting.

“We’d like to thank the local residents of Raasay Island who kept an eye on the whale until we were able to attend, and of course our marine mammal medics for their assistance and dedication to this incident,” BDMLR said.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “The Highland Council is aware of a stranded sperm whale in Raasay.

“Our Environmental Health Officers are liaising with the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) team over the incident.

“The Council has a duty to dispose of carcasses resulting from whale strandings and will make preparations once the full extent and size of the whale is established. A range of disposal options will be considered.”