The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service's (NPWS) large whale disentanglement team went to work off Murramarang National Park on Sunday, cutting two orange buoys and about 20 metres of rope from the humpback.

The stricken whale was about 100 metres offshore and had travelled north from Broulee, where a member of the public had reported it to the rescue organisation ORCCA.

It appeared to be in poor condition and is believed to have been unwell even before it became entangled.

The NSW NPWS team received help from Marine Rescue NSW crews on Sunday afternoon to free the mammal.

Marine Rescue Inspector Glenn Sullivan said the crew of one of the organisation's Batemans Bay vessels tracked the whale from near the Tollgate Islands north until specialists could begin to disentangle the animal, while another Marine Rescue boat took two NPWS members to the whale.

A Department of Primary Industries shark program contractor had also shadowed the whale before Marine Rescue took over.

"It's believed the whale might have been entangled for some time," Inspector Sullivan said.

Marine Rescue crews were stood down at 3.45pm, but NPWS vessels and staff remained on scene.

It was the eighth whale that the NPWS large whale disentanglement team has successfully freed this year, but there have been 45 sightings of entangled whales in 2023, surpassing the 2019 record of 43.

The NPWS says other cases are often reported too long after the sighting, late in the day, or when conditions are too dangerous.

Six whales this year have freed themselves from drumline gear, which is designed to allow this to happen.

Anyone who sees an entangled or otherwise distressed whale should contact ORRCA on 9415 3333 or 13000 PARKS (1300 072 757).