Pictures from the Marine Animal Rescue group show the rope around the tail fin of the young 20-foot gray whale.
Officials say the line was so tightly wrapped around the fluke that the first attempts to cut it free were unsuccessful. But rescuers were able to grab onto the trailing rope and pull themselves closer to the animal to remove it.
Although the whale is free, rescuers and lifeguards will continue to monitor its condition while it remains in the area.
City News Service contributed to this report.
