Efforts to save entangled young humpback whale underway

Efforts to save an entangled young humpback whale were started on 5 July 2008 off Sekiu, Washington. The whale was reported earlier in the day and a response by Makah Fisheries and Cascadia Research in collaboration with NOAA were initiated. The young animal that was the size of a calf (but no mother present) and had multiple crab lines attached around the pectoral fin, mouth and trailing back to the fluke had scars indicating it had been entangled for quite some time. Efforts on 5 July were successful in attaching some marker floats and a tracking radio tag but were unable to free the lines close to the body of the whale, essential for the survival of the whale. 

Update from 6 July 2008: Unfortunately, overnight some fishermen encountered the entangled whale and saw the trailing marker buoys we had attached and removed them thinking this would help the whale. This still left the whale entangled as before but eliminated our ability to track the whale and work with it more easily on 6 July. We had difficulty locating the whale although we did sight it once early in the morning but lost it near Slip Point. After unsuccessfully searching for the whale the rest of the morning, we suspended efforts pending new sightings of the whale and improved conditions. Any sightings of the animal are encouraged to contact Cascadia (1-800-747-7329)

Update from 12 July 2008: There have been a number of reported sightings of the entangled whale although determining for certain if thee were the entangled whale has been complicated by the presence of at least three gray whales in the area leading possible misidentification. Surveys conducted by Makah Fisheries and Cascadis  on 10 and 11 July from shore and boats in the area revealed several numerous gray whales using the area but were unable to conclusively locate and work with the entangled whale. At present, Cascadia, Makah Fisheries, and NOAA are all standing by awaiting pending resighting information. Another search to try to locate the whale will be conducted early next week. 

Images of the whale taken on 5 July 2008 by John Calambokidis are shown below.