A CREW FROM THE FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SPENT ABOUT FOUR DAYS OR SO OFF OF THE NORTHERN BC COAST FREEING A HUMPBACK WHALE THAT WAS COMPLETELY ENTANGLED WITH BITS OF FISHING GEAR, ROPES AND BUOYS. PAUL COTTRELL, A MARINE MAMMAL CO-ORDINATOR WITH THE DEPARTMENT, SAID THAT THE WHALE WAS IN VERY POOR SHAPE WHEN THEY FOUND IT, WITH ROPES INSIDE AND WRAPPED AROUND ITS MOUTH, PREVENTING IT FROM EATING IN ANY WAY. HE ALSO WENT ONTO SAY THAT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN THESE TYPES OF ENTANGLEMENTS OFF OF BC'S COAST, WHICH HE IS SUSPECTING IS RELATED TO AN INFLUX OF HUMPBACK WHALES COMING TO THE AREA.