Humpback whale entangled in netting off Rancho Palos Verdes coast

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (KABC) -- A humpback whale entangled in netting was spotted about 1 mile off the coast of Rancho Palos Verdes on Saturday.

Rescue crews with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration headed out to free the whale, but the netting was all over its face and head, which made it unsafe for crews to get close.

The whale was agitated and kept breaching, according to Justin Viezbicke with NOAA Fisheries. Teams will evaluate the whale's condition based on photos taken at the scene.

A crew will head out to relocate the whale Sunday morning.

This was the third time in two months whale watchers have witnessed a large mammal in distress.