A rescue operation to save a young humpback whale entangled in fishing gear off South Australia's south-east coast will continue on Friday.
Department for Environment and Water (DEW) staff were notified on Wednesday about the nine-metre whale caught in ropes and floats near Port MacDonnell.
DEW and PIRSA Fisheries officers went out in a vessel on Thursday afternoon looking for the whale, which was last seen on Wednesday afternoon heading east.
"DEW marine officers travelled to the region last night [Thursday] with special disentanglement gear, and will be joined in the rescue attempt today by colleagues from the south-east and PIRSA Fisheries officers," Dr Kelly said.
The department was unable to use an aircraft in the search today due to poor visibility and choppy seas, but Dr Kelly said they intended to hire one tomorrow to see if the whale could be located.
"DEW and PIRSA Fisheries staff will also continue to search from the water tomorrow [Friday] morning and we have asked fishers to report any sightings," she said.
"The weather is expected to deteriorate later tomorrow, so our best chance of a successful rescue will be earlier in the day."
She said the whale was likely to continue to weaken and possibly beach itself.
"The whale appears to be tangled tightly by ropes, so it will be a difficult operation which may take a few hours once it is located," she said.
"The weather is worsening tomorrow with stronger winds, so we are hopeful of a successful rescue mission today."
