The Department of Conservation (DOC) is appealing for any sightings of a large humpback whale entangled in ropes and buoys which could be anywhere by now.
The 12-15m whale was spotted on Wednesday near Moturua Island, close to Russell, in the Bay of Islands off the Northland coast. It had rope and a buoy in its mouth -- the second humpback whale to be seen entangled in this way this week.
DOC spokeswoman Helen Ough Dealy said because of the length of time since the whale was last seen, it could be anywhere by now so DOC were appealing for sightings from people taking to the water in the fine weather this weekend.
Commercial fishing boats, which sit higher in the water, had the best chance of spotting the whale so a message had also been sent out asking for them an eye out, she said.
High winds had prevented DOC searchers going to look for the whale earlier in the week.
On Wednesday, DOC staff cut free a rope from a humpback whale off the Northland coast.
Staff who had been involved with this rescue, including Kaikoura's detangling expert Mike Morrissey, would come and help if the second whale was spotted.
NZPA