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The captains of the whale-watching boats also know her as a regular. “These captains, they love her,” said Ms. Ménard.

Fin whales are the world’s second-largest whales. Captain Hook is about 20 metres long and weighs 40 to 50 tonnes.

The biologist said the whale must have got caught in the trap elsewhere in the St. Lawrence because the conservation area doesn’t have the traps.

Last week, park officials hired a plane to better assess the situation. They determined Captain Hook was able to dive down and was feeding, but was thin.

They are working with Parcs Quebec, the Group for Research & Education on Marine Mammals and the Campobello Whale Rescue Team from the Bay of Fundy to rescue her.

On Saturday, the team tried to attach transmitter equipment and buoys to the trap to help track the whale. The hope is the buoys would help lift the cage off her head without human intervention. If this doesn’t work, they would try to cut the trap’s rope.

“The attempts came really close when we did find the whale,” Ms. Ménard said Tuesday.

She added it is difficult even to locate the whale as she only surfaces for one or two breaths, compared with up to five breaths, which is usual for a whale of her size.

But rescuers have not given up hope.

“Even though it’s a difficult operation, it is possible that the animal could survive,” said Ms. Ménard. “There’s no guarantee, but the whale is active and she’s diving and everything.”

She added there is always a risk of infection even if Captain Hook is disentangled, but for now she is thinking postitively.

“Once she’s free, hopefully she’ll be able to get back to her business… and get fat again.”

Parks Canada says anyone who sees the whale should stay at least 400 metres away. If the whale becomes more stressed, it could compromise the operation.

Those who spot the whale are asked to contact the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network at 1-877-722-5346.

This is not the first time this year a whale has been in distress in Quebec. In January, a dozen whales became trapped in the ice near an Inuit community in northern Quebec.