Entanglement Report 2/27/20
Aloha all,
Today, February 27, 2020 at 11:30 HST Rachel Cartwright reported an entangled adult humpback whale off Launiupoko, Maui. The animal was described as entangled in grey to brown colored line over the animal’s back, and behind the dorsal fin. No gear was seen trailing. The sanctuary’s response vessel, Kohola, was conducting health and risk assessment work nearby and responded. Unfortunately, the animal was lost immediately among the many other animals in the area and deteriorating conditions. A number of tour vessels and aircraft, as well as, researchers assisted with the search of the animal for several hours.
At approximately 15:35 HST PacWhale EcoAdventures boat, Ocean Quest, reported and entangled mother with calf with a similar entanglement description. The mother was in good condition as was the calf. The sanctuary vessel joined Ocean Quest, and between them obtained surface imagery of the entanglement/ wound. Once again, no gear was seen trailing. Further investigation of the images suggests an entanglement wound behind the dorsal fin, which may or may not have embedded small gauge line. Unfortunately, no underwater imagery was obtained to confirm the lack of trailing gear or the overall extent of the entanglement as the animal remained evasive and again was lost in a wind line.
Mariners are asked to keep a sharp lookout for this and other entangled animals, but not to approach closely or attempt to free them. While well-intentioned, freeing a 40-ton animal is extremely dangerous for the animal and the would-be rescuer. Getting in the water is especially dangerous. People have been killed. As a result, only trained and well-equipped responders that are authorized under NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program are permitted to disentangle whales. If you sight any marine mammal in distress, maintain 100 yards distance and please call the NOAA Fisheries’ 24/7 response Hotline at 1 888 256-9840. If unable to call, please radio the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF CH. 16, and they will relay the report.
The members-only, non-governmental, North Pacific Large Whale Entanglement Response Website will be updated with additional information, including images received and any response efforts mounted.
Hawaiian Islands Large Whale Entanglement Response Network, volunteer-based facebook page:
Edward Lyman, Natural Resource Management Specialist
T: (808) 879-2818 x 237 | F: (808) 874-3815 | C: (808) 264-8023 | E: [email protected]
This page was published in DOBOR web space on 2/28/20
