Entangled humpback whale cleared of marine debris off Maui | IN PICS

A female humpback whale traveling with a male and a calf has been freed after it was found entangled in a line with a large bundle of marine debris attached.

The whale was freed Monday while swimming in the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary off Maui

There was more than 500 feet (152 meters) of line that was wrapped tightly around the humpback’s head.

The line was tangled with various kinds of marine debris that accumulates in the waters around Hawaii.

It is a federal crime to approach a humpback whale and the response team was working under a special federal permit.