Rescuers free whale trapped by rope off Skye
The animal was spotted in difficulty at Organic Sea Harvest's Invertote site in the north of the island on Thursday morning.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said the rope, which is anchored to the sea bed and has a buoy attached to it, was wrapped around the whale's head and left fin.
The charity said the whale was exhausted and they were continuing to monitor it.
Organic Sea Harvest said during the rescue it was noted the whale had previously been entangled and was carrying old ropes of a type not used on the fish farm.
A spokesperson said: "It was this existing entangled rope which caught onto the farm moorings as it swam by.
"Thankfully the BDMLR team were not only able to free the whale from the salmon farm, but they were also able to free it of the other ropes it had been carrying."
Martin Boon, of BDMLR, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the rope was wrapped multiple times around the humpback's head and left fin.
He said the charity followed a technique that was developed in the US, and used for the first time in Europe in 2011, to free entangled whales.
Special knives attached to poles are used to cut the rope in a set sequence.
The last cut finally frees the animal and avoids the risk of it still having some of the rope attached to it.
Mr Boon said Organic Sea Harvest provided small inflatable boats to allow a BDMLR team to get close to the humpback.
He said the rescue was "potentially risky".
"Obviously it is humpback - they are big and powerful," he said.
"If it thrashes about and it catches anybody in the team, that's not going to end well."
BDMLR, which was set up 40 years ago, successfully rescued a humpback caught in creel ropes in Loch Fyne in Argyll on 4 November.
But other whales have not been so lucky.
In May 2023, a humpback whale that washed up in a Highland loch possibly died after becoming caught up in creel fishing lines, say experts.
The animal's carcass was found on sand banks in Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, near Golspie.
Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (Smass) identified it as a juvenile female humpback whale.
Other humpbacks have been found dead in East Lothian and Caithness following entanglements.
These entanglements can involve creel fishing gear or ghost gear - rope and nets that have been lost or abandoned by fishing boats.
A sperm whale that died after stranding on the Isle of Harris in November 2019 had a 100kg "litter ball" in its stomach.
Fishing nets, rope, packing straps, bags and plastic cups were among the items discovered in a compacted mass during an investigation by Smass.
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05-06-2025
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49 Parent-Tested Products Worth Every Penny
Helllooooo parents, my name is Heather, and at the time I'm writing this, my son is 3 and my daughter is 1 (so you know I get *it*). I pulled together some of the most beloved parenting products the moms of our team have tried out (less leg work for you newer parents or parents-to-be!). I can (and will) happily tell you *all* about what has worked for our families, but kindly wanted to note that we're aware every kid is different! So, what worked for us and our kids may not work for you and yours. But hey, it's worth a shot. Right? A Frida Baby fold-and-go potty seat that'll bring you peace of mind, knowing your toddler's tush never has to touch a grime-filled public toilet. It comes with a travel bag that'll fit easily in your diaper bag or regular tote bag if you're just running a quick errand with your toddler. And Ms. Rachel's Potty Time With Bean book — a must-have for toddler parents who are in the midst of tackling potty training. The book features a sweet, motivational story about a little bear who is learning to use the potty (with Ms. Rachel for support, of course). It has reward stickers in the back and tips/tricks for parents! A 360-degree spill-proof cup that'll seemingly defy the laws of gravity when your tot drinks from it — the water only comes out of the edges when sipped! Not to mention it'll help your mini-me learn to drink from a standard cup sooner. A Boon drying rack with a surprisingly chic design that'll provide you with the perfect spot to dry your little one's bottles and accessories without ruining the entire look of your kitchen. You might just find yourself using it to nicely dry your wine glass after a loooooong day of taking care of tiny judgment here. A Maxi Cosi Kiskadee high chair starring a 360-degree swivel feature you can use to turn your tyke as needed instead of stretching your self-proclaimed T-Rex arms to the limit in an attempt to spoon some mashed sweet potato into their hangry little gullet. Or a modern high chair from Stokke that'll transform into a perfectly sized mini chair as your child grows. They'll be able to use it right up against your kitchen table to dine alongside the family, and it'll look great alongside your other furniture. Not to mention, it'll be super easy to clean after your kiddo inevitably coats it in jelly, peanut butter, marinara sauce, and juice. A Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced parents will be able to rely on to help them make their baby a bottle in a flash — which is *much* appreciated when they're screaming their head off because they've decided they're hungry. I've literally told every single parent or parent-to-be in my life that THIS machine is what's keeping me going — it is the light of my life (next to my kids, of course). Plus a Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro, because anything that is going to make your life easier during the first year of being a parent is worth every penny. This magical machine washes, sterilizes, AND dries bottles, breast pump parts, and other accessories with natural steam. Take it from someone who genuinely knows — this will save you SO much time so you can do one of the other million things on your to-do list instead of hangin' out with a bottle brush. A Munchkin bottle warmer you'll pat yourself on the back for buying when your baby is happily chugging down a perfectly temperate bottle of the house white. Gone are the days of microwaving (oops) or soaking a bottle in hot water to get it nice 'n' warm for your babies. It's compatible with most brands, so no need to give up your favorite bottle. Speaking of bottles, a starter set of Chicco Duo Newborn Hybrid Baby Bottles with glass on the inside but plastic on the outside that'll ensure your baby's milk will only touch pure glass. This means no gross smells, aftertaste, or discolorations over time! Bottoms up, babes. Or a set of silicone baby bottles from Boon Nursh with a shockingly chic design (yes, I said CHIC in regards to a bottle) that'll make you feel like you're really nailing this whole parenting at least. They're easy for baby to hold on, which will give you some bonus time to do something else with YOUR hands. A toddler-size table you can fold up easily when your kiddos aren't using it to color, snack, or bang on like a drum. It'll ensure they always have somewhere to hang without it taking up too much space in your already over-flowing playroom. A playpen to contain your precious and surprisingly VERY fast beast who just learned to crawl and is suddenly everywhere all at once. Plop 'em in here with some of their favorite toys while you grab a cup of already-cold coffee and get to work baby-proofing the rest of the house. A Nanit monitor and wall mount to help you keep a watchful eye on your babe while they sleep — you can also easily see stats on how long they've been asleep or if they're standing and not-so-patiently waiting for you to come scoop 'em up. A Hatch Restore 3 to act as a night-light, a white noise machine, an alarm clock, and a sleep trainer with a design that seamlessly blends into the nursery's decor. Fingers crossed, you and your kiddo will get some sleep this decade with the help of this gadget! An iconic Sophie the Giraffe teether your little one will, for unexplained reasons, likely cherish and love chomping away on as their pearly whites start to (painfully) poke through. Aquaphor Healing Ointment — it'll be one of the most unexpected parenting holy grail items you'll use daily on your little one. It's unscented, preservative-free, and fantastic for healing sensitive skin. You know how in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Gus was always saying, "Put some Windex on it!" to fix all things? Well, that's about to be you with Aquaphor. And a baby butt spatula you'll either laugh or cringe at but will thank your lucky stars that you thought to purchase it when you see how much nicer it is to apply diaper cream to your baby's booty with it instead of your finger. It has incredible suction on the bottom, so you can keep it right next to your changing pad without fear of it being kicked over by your unruly tot. A Frida Baby The 3-Step Cradle Cap System that'll remove dry skin from baby's scalp so gently they won't even notice — it comes with a sponge, a brush, and a comb that'll all work together to get your kiddo's scalp looking good. A bottle of The Honest Company detangling spray to help post-shower hair brushing sessions go a bit more, for lack of a better term, smoothly! It's hypoallergenic, all-natural, gentle and boasts a delectable scent. A Little Big Playroom ball pit if your kiddo's nickname is The Energizer Bunny — it'll keep them contained and entertained! The edges are so soft that they can also chew on it and fall into it without harming themselves (a big parenting win). Frida Baby Natural Vapor Bath Bombs filled with eucalyptus and lavender, so when your little one inevitably does get sick, you'll be ready to go with a soothing bathtime edition that'll help clear their sinuses and relax their little body. A bottle of Tubby Todd's new micellar water for when your tyke had a blowout in the morning, resulting in an unplanned bath, but then covers themselves in marinara sauce during dinner. Sigh. No parent wants to do bathtime twice; give that kiddo a quick (but satisfying!) clean with this instead. A Newton Essential Crib Mattress that'll help provide you with some peace of mind once your tyke starts actually sleeping on top of it — it's made with a unique woven material that babies can completely breathe through (an absolute game changer) and is also fully washable. A Momcozy wearable breast pump you can count on to give you your independence back (kind of) or at the very least free up your hands so you can do other things like read a book, meal prep, clean the toilet, whatever(!!!) instead of being chained to a stationery pump. A bath toy thermometer that'll become your most reliable bathtime companion — it'll alert you to precisely what temperature the water is and if it's an appropriate one for your baby to soak in. You've got enough on your plate, let this seal take the reins on this one. An inexpensive baby gate featuring a pressure mount you'll adore because you won't have to drill holes into your walls (a big win). 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It's formulated with plant-based materials like Jojoba Esters and Camellia Leaf Extract that naturally moisturize skin but *without* any heavy fragrances. It's a thick, reliable cream that soaks in quickly and works wonders on everyone and everything. A Doona all-in-one travel system — a magical car seat and stroller combo that'll make getting your baby out of the house way less daunting. No need to break a sweat while trying to insert your infant's heavy car seat into a separate stroller contraption without waking them; simply lift this one out of the car, and the wheels will click into place underneath. The only explanation for this invention is an exhausted parent must've used one of their three wishes and asked a Genie to craft this. A Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0 for anyone who is currently in the baby/toddler trenches and starting to sweat thinking about trekking around the playground with both kiddos. 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Yahoo
03-06-2025
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Starmer says no independence referendum while he is PM
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Second indyref not a ‘priority' during my time as Prime Minister
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