2008-2009 Whale Season Disentanglement Cases

12/13/08: Entangled Adult Humpback Whale Off Coral Gardens, Maui

	HIHWNMS, MMHSRP Permit #932-1489

An adult humpback whale was reported entangled off Coral Gardens, Maui, by kayaker after returning from a trip. The animal was entangled in heavy gauge polypropylene line (floatline) from forward and right side of body (mouth or flipper?). Line drapes across back to left side where it forms a bundle of gear alongside tailstock. Smaller gauge (1/2”) sinking line also originates forward on right side and runs along right side of animal as well as to bundle on left side. These lines, along with possibly a third type of line, trail aft approximately 40 feet. While the report was several hours old, it indicated that the animal had been observed in the area for over an hour and might still be on site. Thus, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA Fisheries mounted the first of several response efforts for this animal. The first effort on December 13, 2008, resulted in the animal being assessed, documented and as a result of the assessment, tagged by attaching a telemetry buoy to the trailing gear.

December 14, 2008:
The same team re-located the animal the next day and began “kegging” the animal down. During the operation, 115 feet of line, or approximately 1/3 of the gear on the animal, was removed. With fading light at the end of the day, the telemetry buoy was re-attached.

However, over the next several days the animal remained on the move and offshore, providing no opportunities for another response. On December 16 the United States Coast Guard provided aerial assistance to confirm that the transmitter package was still attached to the whale. Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) also provided valuable assistance and protocols were established to work within the reserve’s waters.

December 18, 2008:
After travelling at least (straight-line distances between fixes) 93 nm over 71 hours, the telemetry package became detached. The Sanctuary response team recovered the telemetry package, but unfortunately no entangling gear was attached.

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	Map of Case
	HIHWNMS, MMHSRP Permit #932-1489

12/24/08: Subadult Humpback Whale Entangled Off Kauai

	HIHWNMS, MMHSRP Permit #932-1489

An “odd-looking” subadult humpback whale was observed and photographed on December 24, 2008 by passengers aboard two different tour vessels. Investigation of images days later indicated that the animal was entangled. The animal was wrapped in heavy gauge line around fluke blades, though entanglement may also involve other parts of body. The entangling lines had caused significant trauma to the flukes. Animal was emaciated and in poor condition. A heavy load of cyamids amphipods covered at least the tailstock region of the body. No response was mounted due to nature (belatedness) of report. Images were obtained from passengers of tour vessels for assessment.

1/12/09: Entangled Humpback Whale Reported Between Molokini and Maui

A humpback whale trailing more than 100 feet of yellow poly line was observed by a local dive vessel. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary mounted a response effort, but was unable to re-locate the animal. Maui Dive Shop, Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters provided assistance.

1/13/09: Subadult Humpback Whale Entangled in Crab Pot Gear off Hauula, Oahu

A subadult humpback whale (25 - 30 feet) was reported entangled in local crab gear (confirmed) by a local rod/reel fisherman late in the day (dusk). Line was seen wrapped around animal's tailstock and running straight down as if weighted. Unknown if other parts of the body were involved. The good-intentioned fisherman (not reported gear owner) perceived the animal to be in immediate danger and removed a portion of buoyline along with all floats. Unfortunately, a significant, and potentially lethal, amount of line and pot(s) were believed to remain on the animal. No lines or buoys remained at the surface, making this animal/entanglement extremely difficult to re-sight and free. No response was mounted due to time of day.

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1/19/09: Adult Humpback Whale Entangled off Ship Wreck Beach, Lanai

An adult humpback whale with approximately 45 feet of light green-colored net trailing behind was seen by Sunshine Helicopters. Gear appeared to be attached to animal's tailstock. No floats were visible. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary mounted a response. Considering time of day (15:15) the plan was to mount a rapid response, hopefully re-locate, assess, and tag the animal for later disentanglement efforts. Unfortunately, the animal was not re-located. Sunshine Helicopters and Molokai Air provided aerial support.

2/1/09: Subadult Humpback Whale Entangled off Lahaina, Maui

	HIHWNMS, MMHSRP Permit #932-1489

An adult humpback whale was seen entangled by local tour operator from Hawaiian Rafting Adventures' (HRA). Animal appeared to have light-colored, small gauge line around right flipper and tailstock before trailing several hundred feet behind. An oval-shaped, orange 2-foot diameter buoy was along the right side of the animal. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries, and US Coast Guard mounted a response effort. The HRA vessel attempted to stand by the animal until the response team could arrive; however, unfortunately, the animal was lost in heavier seas while the team was enroute and not re-located. The team aboard the Sanctuary response vessel searched for several hours and assessed over 20 different humpback whales, but was unable to re-locate the entangled animal. In addition, the United States Coast Guard assisted by providing a Coast Guard Auxiliary aerial asset. The aerial asset also searched the area, and while many whales were observed (>30), none were observed entangled in gear.

The animal was re-sighted a week later on February 7 off McGregor Pt, Maui by Sanctuary volunteers. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries, and US Coast Guard mounted a response effort. The HIHWNMS launched a rapid response team aboard response vessel, Hihimanu, and was able to re-locate the animal. The USCG provided support by transporting the rest of the response team (HIHWNMS and NOAA Fisheries) and gear to the primary response vessel, and stood by while rescue operations proceeded. After several hours of effort, over 350 feet of line, representing nearly the entire entanglement, was removed from the animal.

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2/20/09: Adult Humpback Whale Reported Entangled in Mauna Lani Bay, Hawaii

	HIHWNMS, MMHSRP Permit #932-1489

An adult humpback whale was reported entangled off of Mauna Lani Bay, Big Island. The animal was entangled in heavy gauge (~1" diameter) yellow poly line that originated from forward on body. The attachment point/ origin, while uncertain, likely involved the pectoral
flipper(s) and/or mouth on left side. Two lines from left side crossed loosely over back forward of dorsal fin to a bundle of gear that was along animal's right side. Two lines ran forward from bundle were observed under, but not wrapping, right flipper origin. Lines trailed from bundle along animal's right side and terminated as frayed end approximately 50 feet behind the fluke. The animal was slightly emaciated and had some line chafe on the leading edge of right fluke blade, but otherwise showed no obvious signs of being compromised (health/parasites).

Hawaii Marine Mammal Consortium (HMMC) mounted a response effort and re-located the animal. Animal was assessed and documented, but the team was unable to attach the telemetry buoy due to deteriorating sea conditions. The Jupiter Foundation stood by to transport additional gear and personnel in case they were needed.

The animal was subsequently re-sighted 8 times over a 3-week period. Responses were mounted on 4 different occasions:

February 28, 2009:
The animal was re-sighted by Pacific Whale Foundation vessel, Ocean Intrigue, 1.5 nm southeast of Maalaea Harbor. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary mounted a response effort, but was unable to re-locate animal in deteriorating sea conditions.

March 3, 2009:
The animal was re-sighted 1 nm offshore of Mahana, Maui. The Center for Whale Studies (CWS) responded, but due to heavy seas (25 kts and greater) was unable to locate animal. The response effort initiated by HIHWNMS was aborted.

March 6, 2009:
The animal was re-located by Center for Whale Studies (CWS) off Mala Wharf, Maui. Two other whale research organizations, Whale Trust and Hawaii Whale Research Foundation (HWRF), assisted CWS in keeping track of animal while response team from HIHWNMS and PIRO were enroot. The US Coast Guard was on standby to assist. With CWS, Whale Trust and HWRF standing by, the response team successfully grappled the gear entangling the animal while the animal was stationary and singing. However, on adding the first kegging buoy the attachment was lost. Unfortunately, the animal became evasive and increasingly difficult to track, no further attachments were possible. Rescue operations were finally terminated late in the day.

March 11, 2009:
The animal was re-sighted several miles off Pali Pt, Maui by Pacific Whale Foundation vessel, Ocean Spirit, which stood by the animal for 45 minutes until the Sanctuary’s response vessel, Hihimanu, arrived on scene. The US Coast Guard transported additional Sanctuary personnel and provided safety support for ensuing rescue efforts. As in past efforts, the animal was difficult to track and approach. The response team was able to establish a control line for kegging and access to the animal, but the attachment to the animal was lost after a short period of time. No gear was removed and all further attempts at getting a hold of the animal were unsuccessful. Rescue operations were finally terminated late in the day.

3/11//09: Adult Humpback Whale Reported Entangled Off Honokahau Harbor, Hawaii

An adult humpback was seen entangled by several tour vessels departing Honokahau Harbor, Big Island. Animal described as having gray "poly" line wrapped around tailstock and trailing gear at least 45 feet behind animal. However, the terminus of the line was not observed and may have been much longer. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s Justin Viezbicke and Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources responded, but unfortunately, the animal was not relocated.

Read the 2008-2009 whale season summary.

Rescue News - Learn about efforts to rescue humpback whales from entanglement!

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