Humpback whale successfully disentangled by California Whale Rescue network

The juvenile humpback whale was first reported late Wednesday morning, April 20th, by a sport fisherman off Moss Landing. The fisherman stayed with the whale until the response team arrived on scene.

Evaluation by the response team determined the entanglement was complex with heavy line leading through the mouth, wrapping twice over the whale’s back, and around both pectoral fins. A telemetry buoy to track the whale by satellite was attached to the line for location of the animal the following day.

On Thursday, April 21st, the U. S. Coast Guard and the CWR network departed Moss Landing to the whale’s location using the satellite telemetry positions. For over five hours the team approached, evaluated, and eventually were able to make two cuts that successfully freed the whale.

The team captured identifying fluke and dorsal fin photographs and retrieved the fishing gear that had entangled the whale.

California Whale Rescue would like to extend its sincerest thanks to John Favazza of FV Okie Dokie who immediately reported the distressed whale and was able to stay with the whale until a response team arrived, and to the U.S. Coast Guard for providing transportation and support during the rescue.

The responders on this rescue were CWR network members including the Alaska Whale Foundation, Point Blue Conservation Science, NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Fast Raft Safaris, the Oceanic Society, Talbot Films, Marine Life Studies’ Whale Entanglement Team, and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.


About California Whale Rescue

California Whale Rescue is a network of trained individuals and organizations, working together to save entangled whales and prevent future entanglements. A diverse group of unpaid volunteers—our members include biologists, conservationists, ecologists, fishermen, crab fishermen, whale watching captains, naturalists, entrepreneurs, and many others. Overseen by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP), and led by co-investigator Pieter Folkens under permit #18786, the team primarily responds to entangled whales between Santa Barbara, CA and the California/Oregon border. We collaborate with other official groups within the MMHSRP when needed.

It takes many partners and persons to fill all roles required to successfully disentangle a whale. California Whale Rescue expands on the initial partnerships developed with the Whale Entanglement Team (WET) and others. Our members are grateful for the work that has been done to date by Marine Life Studies, Fluke Foundation, Alaska Whale Foundation, and many others. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts, as we embark upon new partnerships, and continue expanding the network to maximize our response efficiency.


California Whale Rescue
http://www.cawhalerescue.org/