Ted Cheeseman and a group from the Center for Coastal Studies, Massachusetts, USA, are seeking crowd funding in order to remove an entangling rope from a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in Dominica. The female whale, known as Digit, has a line tangled around her tail, which is causing her to lose condition and will ultimately kill her. The funding will pay for the rescue team’s logistics, boat charter and subsistence.

In related news, UK company Fourth Element has launched a clothing product range that is woven from fibers obtained by recycling ghost fishing nets removed from the seas by teams of divers around the globe. Called “OceanPositive”, the range consists of rashguards and swim wear.