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A rescue bid is underway to save a humpback whale trapped in fishing gear off the British coast.

A lifeboat has been launched to try and save the stricken mammal after it was believed to have become entangled in lobster pots.

The 50ft creature has been thrilling crowds since first appearing close to beaches in South Devon three weeks ago.

But rescuers have now urged the public to stay away as efforts are made to try and free it.

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com) (Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

It is understood the whale is currently around 500 yards out from Blackpool Sands near Dartmouth and witnesses say it is rising to the surface every five minutes to blow air.

The alarm was first raised to the UK Coastguard around 12noon today via a VHF Radio call from a fishing vessel.

It reported that a humpback whale was entangled in some of its fishing gear in Start Bay, Dartmouth.

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

British Divers Marine Life Rescue and Dartmouth RNLI inshore lifeboat were sent to the scene to assess the whale's situation.

Dartmouth Coastguard Rescue Team have also attended.

UK Coastguard Duty Controller Angus MacIver said: "We are asking for members of the public to be mindful of their own safety if they're trying to find a viewing vantage point, so that the emergency services can support the BDMLR in responding to this incident.'

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com) (Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

A spokesman for the Dart inshore lifeboat said: "This is an on-going incident. The only purpose of the lifeboat is to offer an assistance to the BDMLR as they don't have a vessel.

"We are still waiting for more information so there is not a lot to say at the moment.

"There is no risk to life and we are just there to assist another organisation."

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

Beesands fisherman Alan Steer has just returned from being out with the whale off Blackpool Sands.

He has confirmed that it is caught, probably by the tail, by line from whelk pots on the seabed.

Alan was out on his boat Superb-US. He said the fishing gear in which the whale is trapped belongs to the boat Maverick.

He said: "We were there about 45 minutes ago. We are not sure how long it had been caught up in the line. It is about a quarter of a mile off Blackpool Sands.

"It doesn't appear to be distressed. We checked its breathing rate and it surfaced every three to five minutes.

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

"We didn't see its tail, but it was breaching and arching its back. The tail didn't come out of the water.

"The Dart RNLI are just waiting for expert divers to arrive before going out there to try to release it."

One of the fishing boat crew members Gary Cooper confirmed the whale is trapped in whelk pots.

His daughter Jessica Cooper has been in touch with him this afternoon.

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

She said that that they believe that whelk pots have become wrapped around the whale's tail, but they believe the whale is still alive and surfaced at around 3.30pm.

She said: "The Lifeboat went back inshore to grab some more equipment to help free the whale, and I'm pretty sure that the whale is stuck in whelk pots.

"It's just one of those things unfortunately, my dad is working on the boat with a couple of other guys, but the rescue seems to be going well at the moment."

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said it was 'hopeful' but could not guarantee the humpback whale would survive.

Tim Coleman, of BDMLR, said: "We're hopeful we will be able to help the whale, but nothing is guaranteed.

"Currently we have teams carrying out an initial assessment. Once we have made a full assessment of the situation we can work out plan of action.

(Image: James Dadzitis / SWNS.com)

"We're working as quickly and safely as possible, and we're here for the animals so we will do all we can for it."

The whale was first sighted on Thursday 23rd February and has attracted large crowds to the South Devon coast eager to get a glimpse of it.

Before becoming trapped, British Divers Marine Life Rescue said it looked to be quite healthy and was feeding.

Josh Marshall, the Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Crime Officer, said people who have been out to see the humpback whale in boats may have impacted on the animal.

He said: "Please don't go anywhere near the whale. It is a stage five animal and is protected by law.

"This has been happening repeatedly over the time that the whale has been here, and I've had numerous reports of people going out on boats to see the animal, at least seven different occasions.

"Regrettably, national media have used some of the images and videos obtained from boats, and this has done little to discourage members of the public from going closer to the animal.

"I don't know if it has impacted on the whale, but having people and machinery in the water near to it could have had an impact and led to the whale ending up in this situation. I'm not a whale expert, but it may have may made a difference.

"There are trained people that know what they're doing on their way to help."