Humpback Whales Off Coast

Southampton Bay Constables responded to a humpback whale entangled in fishing net about a quarter-mile southwest of Townline Beach in Sagaponack on Monday, July 15, at around 1 PM, according to Southampton Town Police.

Bay constables protected the animal while working with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and federal authorities. Town police monitored and videotaped the whale’s activity. Apparently, the whale freed itself, but the police have encouraged the public to report any new sightings of this whale immediately by calling the NYS Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829.

Whales have been a common sight in the ocean from Montauk to Southampton in recent weeks. Ten-year-old Ean Frankel, using a drone, photographed this humpback near the Montauk Lighthouse on Sunday, July 14.