Recent rescue efforts off the coast of Quadra Island, British Columbia, highlighted the plight of marine mammals trapped by fishing gear. Last week, kayakers spotted two humpback whales entangled by fishing lines and alerted the authorities, setting off a coordinated rescue mission.
Tina Kuschel and her sister, who had been kayaking at the time, witnessed the distress signals of the whales. They reported seeing the whales trailing behind their prawn traps, raising concerns about their welfare.
Upon calling Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), they were connected with Paul Cottrell, the DFO's marine mammals coordinator. The sisters shared critical information and photos of the involved whales, which led to the swift deployment of rescue teams.
On arrival, Cottrell's team utilized drones to get a better look at the entangled whales, named Raza and Mogul. To their surprise, they discovered both whales were tethered together, complicate the rescue operation.
“These poor whales were actually tethered together,” said Cottrell, recalling his experience. He had rescued single whales before but had never dealt with two tangled together.
The whales had been locked together for over 24 hours when the rescuers arrived. Over the course of five intensive hours, the team worked carefully to disentangle the creatures.
Cottrell speculated about the incident's cause, thinking one whale may have gotten caught first, pulling the other one with it. “It was just a really bad situation,” he added, explaining how agitated the whales appeared during the process.
A working line was initially deployed between the two animals to separate them and facilitate the removal of fishing gear. After assessing their anxiety and stress levels, the team observed improvement, recognizing progress being made.
After the whales were finally freed from the destructive lines, the situation became more hopeful. “The team was just elated,” Cottrell remarked, reflecting on how teamwork and planning led to the successful outcome.
Research shows whale entanglements are on the rise, partly due to increased fishing activities and the return of humpback whales to B.C. waters. A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated significant increases in entangled whales on the U.S. West Coast, reporting growth from ten average annual entanglements to fifty between 2014 and 2017.
Jackie Hildering, a researcher with the Marine Education and Research Society, emphasized the need for prevention. “It has to be about prevention, reducing the overlap, getting rid of gear that's drifting around,” she asserted, advocating for strategies to protect marine life.
Calls for action include suggestions to limit prawn traps during peak whale migration seasons between May and October. Kuschel expressed gratitude for her timely observations and hoped for increased awareness and fewer entanglements.
Since the rescue operation, there has been speculation about the future movements of Raza and Mogul. Preliminary data suggest nearly half of all sampled humpbacks in B.C. have scarring, indicating past entanglements, stressing the need for vigilant monitoring.
The whales participated playfully and naturally following their release from the gear. One of the whales was spotted swimming freely hours later, indicating successful recovery.
Such rescues not only highlight the resilience of these animals but also call for continued engagement and interventions to prevent future incidents. Cottrell continues to urge members of the public to contact authorities if they witness entangled marine mammals, emphasizing the need to act quickly.
“If you do see an entangled whale, don’t hesitate to call,” he advised, aiming to build greater public awareness about the challenges facing whales today. This incident serves as yet another reminder of the delicate balance required to protect marine ecosystems and their inhabitants.
With growing whale populations, the onus rests on humanity to safeguard their environment above and below the waves. Collaborative efforts offer hope for these magnificent creatures as awareness spreads and proactive measures are put in place to minimize human impact.
