Rare Blue Whale Spotted Entangled in Rope Off Mass.
A rare blue whale, the biggest animal in the world, has been spotted entangled in fishing rope 12 miles northeast of Plymouth Harbor, marine experts said today.
The confirmed sighting, made Tuesday, of the 75 foot-long mammal was the second in New England coastal waters in 51 years. Estimated to weigh 70 tons, the whale is thought to be the same one spotted last weekend by four whale-watching boats from Gloucester.
The animal had its left flipper caught in a long plastic rope attached to a small float or buoy. It was thought that the rope was attached to fishing nets.
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