MONTEREY, Calif. - Killer whales have been making their presence known on the central coast. Just the other day a group of marine researchers saw some orca feeding and that's when things went south. Several orcas were in the Monterey area feeding on a grey whale calf. Marine researchers said the orcas were moving in and out of a small area where crab pots had been set up and that's when one of the whales was caught.

"Then the whale went under and when it came up we thought well maybe it's entangled we weren't sure. It took us about a minute or so 30 seconds or so and we went, oh no it is caught," said Whale Entanglement Team Co-Founder, Peggy Stap.

The entanglement team caught video of the orca pulling the attached buoy under water as he struggled to free himself right in from of them. Before the team could go in to help, the whale was freed.

"Never seen that before it was unbelievable and we were so happy when that whale was free," said Stap.

Not all whales are so lucky. Since 2015, there have been 23 whale entanglements in the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. Timing is crucial when it comes to entangled whales and marine researchers say if folks come across one they can use their smart phones to report its exact location. With crab season in full swing and more pots expected in the ocean, that number could rise. Fisherman said they're doing what they can to prevent any entanglements.

"We avoid slack rope on the surface, avoid any extra rope on the surface of the water," said Commercial crab fisherman, Francesca Crow.

Local crabbers said they use heavier rope that sinks.

"Every crabber and fisherman that I know loves the ocean and all of its animals and wants to do everything it can to protect the ocean and its bounty and make a good decent living out here," said Moss Landing local, Jiancarlo Thomae.

Stap said she's happy crab season is back and doesn't blame the fisherman for the recent entanglement.

"They've been playing, that's their playground out there so they're playing with stuff. Killer whales are so curious and so he could have just swam over there and thought I'm bored I've eaten a lot, I'm going to play with this line that's what we think might have happened," said Stap.