Man calls 911 after seeing distressed whale at Jax Beach

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — A man told Action News Jax he called 911 after he saw a whale struggling in the water near 9th Street on Friday in Jacksonville Beach.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission received reports of a whale in need at Jacksonville Beach around 3 p.m.

Mike Bingle says he got his binoculars and could see that the whale was tangled in a crab trap. He said a paddleboarder went out to where the whale was and helped untangle it.

FWC came to the area and took photos of the whale. Crowds gathered around as the whale swam around in the water.

Beachgoers shared video with Action News Jax of two whales swimming in the water, and the FWC said whales often come to Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia from December to March to have their babies.

FWC whale researchers shared photos of a right whale breaching off the shore of Amelia Island on Jan. 31.

FWC said reasons for breaching are unknown. Common theories for why whales breach include wanting to shake something off their skin, or to communicate with other whales.

Some people believe whales breach to warn of other predators, or just because it's fun to do.

Cox Media Group