Reports of an eight metre whale tangled in a commercial fishing net off the coast of Maketu have the Department of Conservation on alert for the next 24 hours.

DOC received the call from a commercial fisherman who spotted the whale off his boat entangled in a fishing net, float and anchor about 2.5 nautical miles out from Town Point, Maketu this morning.

'He was fishing at the time and rung the coastguard, DOC and Ministry of Fisheries while he was out at sea,” says Department of Conservation services ranger Brad Angus.

'It is a smaller whale about seven or eight metres but we are not quite sure what species it would be.”

The whale was last sighted at 11.30am today.

Brad says there are two possible scenarios – the whale is still tangled, or it has freed itself.

'Hopefully the rope that is wrapped round its tail has fallen off and that would be a pretty good outcome otherwise it's still wrapped and it's towing the rope and netting around the ocean.”

'If you do encounter this animal then take care. The whale may be hazardous to approach so don't get close to the whale or try to intervene.”

Any boaties in the area are to report sightings of the whale by calling the DOCHOTline: 0800 362 468.

The DOC disentanglement team have been placed on standby for the next 24 hours and will re-evaluate the situation tomorrow morning.

If you spot the whale send your photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz