01/21/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2022 15:25
A NOAA-led team of marine mammal responders is continuing to track an entangled adult humpback whale first spotted off Po'ipū, Kauaʻi on January 16, 2022.
A community member reported the entanglement to NOAA officials. NOAA mobilized a same-day joint response in coordination with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The humpback whale was emaciated, light-colored, rough-skinned, and had patches of rust-colored whale lice-indicative of a whale in distress. There was a large amount of gear wrapped around the whale, and some of the gear may have involved the mouth. Mouth entanglements are especially dangerous for whales, as they often impact the animal's ability to feed.
Trained NOAA and DLNR responders mounted an initial, same-day response and were able to remove a majority of the gear trailing from the whale. However, because of the complexity of the entanglement, they were not able to remove all of it. They attached a satellite and Very High Frequency, or VHF, telemetry buoy to aid in tracking the whale for possible follow-up disentanglement attempts. The telemetry buoy is configured to self-release in approximately one week avoiding any additional impact to the whale.
The team mounted a second response; however, the whale moved away from Kauaʻi to Niʻihau. The team was unable to reach the whale due to the greater distance and the whale's increase in speed.
Data from our satellite telemetry buoy indicated the whale was navigating around Kauaʻi. The team mounted a third effort from Kauaʻi aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. However, after extensive effort, they were unable to sight the whale.
Data from our satellite telemetry buoy indicated the whale was still navigating around Kauaʻi. The team mounted a fourth effort from Kauaʻi aboard a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. However, again after extensive effort, they were unable to sight the whale.
We will continue to monitor the whale's location with the telemetry buoy and will attempt to remove more gear, if feasible.
Our goal is to safely free large whales from life-threatening entanglements. At the same time, we try to gather valuable information that will reduce the frequency and impacts of entanglements in the future.
To date, the team has removed nearly 2,000 feet of heavy gauge line from this whale, greatly improving its condition, as evidenced by the whale's increased speed. The gear will be further investigated in an effort to determine its identity and possible origin.
NOAA coordinates disentanglement efforts under the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program permit (#18786). These efforts are dependent on the commitment of state and federal agencies, private non-governmental organizations, fishermen, and the community working together.
Early reporting is key to successful response efforts. We ask for the public's help in following these steps if they spot an entangled whale: