A rescue group is monitoring an entangled humpback whale spotted off of Newport Beach, but they may not be able to get close enough to the massive mammal to help free it from fishing line.

The whale is thought to be the same one spotted along Orange County’s coastline in August. Now, traps that were trailing behind it and line following its body are gone, but there’s still line wrapped around one of its pectoral fins and in its mouth.

A group called the Marine Animal Entanglement Response network typically works to help entangled creatures, but for this one, they are still gathering information and assessing the situation. Getting close to the animal to get the line from its mouth can be dangerous.

“Everything out there has to be safe,” said Justin Viezbicke, California Stranding Network coordinator. “The nature of the entanglement would have us get close to the face. The animals don’t like us to be there, it creates a dangerous situation.”

Viezbicke said the whale has heavy lice on its body, which indicates it’s not doing well.

“The status of the health has probably decreased. These mouth (entanglements) are difficult, for that reason,” he said. The line in the mouth could make feeding difficult, he said.

Rescuers may try to get a better idea of the situation using pole cams, Viezbicke said.

“We’re trying to figure out what the gear is, then determine the course of action. And how active the animal is and how that plays into safety of the team,” he said.

The whale was identified Wednesday by Slater Moore, photographer on Newport Landing, who said he was photographing the whale when something caught his eye.

“He threw his tail up, I saw a line go flying,” he said.

When it was spotted by Newport Coastal Adventure in August, it had line and traps dragging behind it. It quickly disappeared from the area, but was spotted days later near Morro Bay.

Whale-watching captains said they’ve seen this whale in the area the past few weeks, but didn’t realize it still had line on it.

On Thursday, whale-watching groups took turns tracking the whale and documenting its behavior.

“A lot of the whale-watch groups out of Newport have been helpful, getting on the animal today and communicating so they can keep an eye on it,” Viezbicke said. “They have been very helpful.”

This is the latest in an increasing number of whale entanglements this year, a worrisome figure that could break records. In June, a blue whale was entangled in fishing gear and traps off Dana Point Headlands. Rescue efforts to cut the line were unsuccessful, and rescuers lost track of the estimated 60-foot whale.

Last year, 61 whales were reported entangled off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California, the highest number since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began keeping records in 1982.

Since January, about 40 whale entanglements off California have been reported, putting 2016 on track for another record-breaking year.

On average, about 10 whales were reported entangled off the West Coast annually from 2000 to 2012. Humpback whales are the most commonly entangled whale species on the West Coast, according to NOAA.

Fishing gear and debris can constrict and cut into a whale’s skin and muscle, causing injury and potential infection. Gear and debris also can bind whales to fishing floats and buoys, making it hard for them to dive below the surface.

If left unnoticed or unreported, the whale can suffer a long, agonizing death, the NOAA’s website says.

Viezbicke said a permanent solution has to be found to help entangled whales. Trying to free them after the fact is just a temporary fix, he said, one that’s not always successful.

“We are doing the best that we can. There is a reality that we can’t and don’t get all of these whales,” he said. “We’re really, ultimately, our program is a Band-Aid. We want to find out how they are getting entangled so we can be more proactive. We need to find a solution to the problem, not just run out and try to take the gear off. We need to be preventive in nature.”

NOAA has recently started an outreach effort to help educate the public and inform fishermen on how to report an entangled whale.

If an entangled whale is spotted, contact the NOAA entangled whale hotline at 877-SOS-WHALE or hail the United States Coast Guard on CH 16.

Contact the writer: lconnelly@ocregister.com