HONOLULU (KHON2) — Spotting a whale entangled in ocean debris is like finding a needle in a haystack, according to marine biologists. Since early December, there have been six confirmed cases in Hawaii – more than what is typical at this time in the season. Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Photo courtesy of E. Lyman/ HWS and NOAA (MMHSRP permit # 932-1905)DCIM100GOPRO "Five of them are humpback whales and one is a sperm whale," stated Ed Lyman, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Natural Resource Specialist. "That sperm whale was seen off of Oahu. All the other ones, the humpbacks are off Maui at this point in time." How drone technology helps monitor humpback whale mother-calf pairs List of entangled whale sightings of the 2024 season, according to the sanctuary: Dec. 8 — 2 nm south of Lahaina, Maui in the Au’au Channel: Adult humpback whale with a mouth entanglement representing light-colored, moderate gauge (~ 9/16” to 5/8”) , non-buoyant line. Line trails aft to form a bridle with line twisting approximately 45 feet behind and twisted line trailing another 20 to 30 feet. No buoys were observed. Dec. 20 — 1.5 nms off Black Rock, Kaanapali, Maui: Subadult humpback whale entangled in heavy gauge (likely 7/8”) 3-strand, polyblend line around its body forward of the pectoral flippers. The wrap is tight, but not embedded. No gear trails. It appears the gear is long-spliced as a loop. Animal appears to be in fair to good condition. Dec. 24 — Off Lahilahi, Oahu: The ORP sighted an entangled sperm whale with a reported green line or net around the mid-body of the animal. The animal was reported to be logging at the surface with 3 other animals. Dec. 28 — 2 nm SSE of Olowalu, Maui: Mother and calf humpback caught in monofilament fishing lines Not considered life-threatening. Dec. 28 — 2 nm SSE of Olowalu, Maui: Mother and calf humpback caught in monofilament fishing lines Not considered life-threatening. Dec. 28 — Off Pali, Maui: Adult humpback whale with tight wrap of moderate to smaller gauge line wrapped around its body forward of pectoral flippers. No gear trails. No buoys were observed. Animal in good to excellent condition.  Experts said ocean debris is one of the greatest threats to marine animals. A tangle washed ashore on Kailua Beach, on Tuesday, Dec. 31. "A lot of this material is heavy gauge ropes and nets and then ends up here on our pristine beaches," said Kailua resident, Kydd Pollock. "We actually [clean] this quite frequently now more than we used to just because it seems like there's an influx of this derelict fishing gear that's drifting into Hawaii." Fishing lines can be harmful to wildlife when it cuts through flesh, exposing the wound to bacteria, per Lyman. Starvation can take months or one year before an animal succumbs to entanglement. Lyman added, that on rare occasions, smaller animals like whale calves can drown. Crew with the sanctuary continue working to locate and free all six whales. "There've been some tough ones this year. In addition to the higher numbers, the gear has been lying deep behind the animals. It's been fast-moving whales, weather not been conducive, and some tight body wraps that have been tough to get at with nothing trailing," stated Lyman. To help and protect entangled marine wildlife or report any distressed animal, officials encourage the public to call the NOAA hotline at (888) 256-9840. Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here "Getting documentation, take a picture even if it's with your phone, but from a safe and legal distance. Maintain that 100 yards, keep yourself safe," said Lyman. "We don't want people to try to cut the whales free, themselves. It's dangerous for the would-be responder and the whale."