EFFORTS are now being made to rescue a whale that has been stranded in Dravuwalu, Totoya in Lau over the past three weeks.
Roko Sau of Totoya Island Josefa Cinavilakeba confirmed that a rescue team compromising experts from the Pacific Blue Foundation and the Department of Fisheries will leave Suva for Totoya on Monday.
Mr Cinavilakeba said the whale had been trapped within the reefs of Totoya.
He said the whale came with two others measuring 30 feet in length.
"The two are not stranded but safe and circling the lagoons. I have advised my people not to harm the whales. Schools are visiting the site with children and the whales are safe," Mr Cinavilakeba said. He said according to village elders, two whaling stations were set up in Totoya between 1910 to 1920 and could be a reason whales come there every year.