A dramatic rescue took place off the coast of Skye on Thursday morning as volunteer rescuers successfully freed a humpback whale entangled in ropes at Organic Sea Harvest's fish farm. The incident came to light early Thursday when staff noticed the struggling mammal at the company's site near Staffin, about 10 miles north of Portree, Skye's largest town.
It was around 7 am when staff at Organic Sea Harvest raised the alarm, reaching out to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) to assist. According to BDMLR, the whale was visibly entangled and unable to swim freely due to ropes wrapped around its head and left fin. Rescue teams were mobilized from across the UK, combining their efforts with local community members and emergency services to safely free the creature.
Martin Boon from BDMLR detailed the complexity of the situation on the airwaves, stating, "If it thrashes about and it catches anybody in the team, that's not going to end well." He highlighted the specialized, proactive method employed for the rescue, mentioning the use of knives attached to poles to cut the rope. This technique was developed over the years and had its initial application for large whale disentanglements outside the United States.
While Organic Sea Harvest provided small inflatable boats to enable the rescue team to approach the whale closely, continuous safety assessments were conducted to protect both the team and the whale. The ropes surrounding the whale's body were identified to not originate from the salmon farm but were remnants of older traps the whale had previously encountered. Organic Sea Harvest's spokesperson stated, "It was this existing entangled rope which caught onto the farm moorings as it swam by. Thankfully the BDMLR team were not only able to free the whale from the salmon farm, but they were also able to free it of the other ropes it had been carrying."
The successful operation unfolded methodically, with BDMLR managing to extricate the whale after several hours of concentrated effort. By midday Thursday, it was confirmed the whale had been freed, though it appeared exhausted and was closely monitored thereafter. The rescue was well-received by environmentalists and the local community, emphasizing the collaborative spirit exhibited during such efforts to save local wildlife.
Organic Sea Harvest, whose operations were paused during the rescue, expressed gratitude for the successful outcome. "We're delighted to confirm the humpback whale entangled at our salmon farm has been freed. Our staff, supported by expert divers from BDMLR, have worked tirelessly since discovering the whale just after 7 am yesterday. This is the outcome we had all hoped for and worked toward," they stated. They also reassured the public of their dedication to the whale's recovery by continuing to monitor its movements.
Interestingly, during the rescue, it was noted the whale had previously been entangled with older ropes of the same type not used by the fish farm. This raised concerns among ecologists about the dangers posed by "ghost gear," which refers to fishing equipment abandoned or lost at sea, often leading to entanglements and significant harm to marine life.
Such incidents are not isolated. Previous occurrences included another humpback whale found stranding and entangled earlier, demonstrating the peril whales face from fishing lines and nets. The case sheds light on the importance of rescue operations and the proactive measures required to protect marine ecosystems.
Following the episode, the BDMLR has reiterated the need for public awareness, urging local boaters and onlookers to steer clear of rescue areas. They emphasized the need for unhampered access to facilitate such operations, indicating, "We kindly request members of the public (and those with boats) please do not travel to see the whale whilst access is needed for rescue operations." This demonstrates collaboration between marine organizations and local businesses to preserve marine wildlife and promote safe handling of such situations.
The rescue of the humpback whale off the Isle of Skye highlights the delicate relationship between humans and the marine world. It articulates the mission of organizations like the BDMLR and raises questions about preventive measures to reduce whale entanglements. The collective efforts of the community, rescue teams, and fish farm operators encapsulate the spirit of wildlife preservation and the urgency felt during such situations.
Overall, this endeavor not only concluded with the successful freeing of the whale but reinforced the necessity for continued vigilance and proactive actions to protect marine mammals from similar dangers.