Marine mammal rescuers on Vancouver Island have reported a busy summer dealing with whale entanglements. Paul Cottrell, who heads the marine mammal team at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, stated that they have been responding to an average of one to two entanglements per week over the past two months. This rate is consistent with last year, and they have also conducted several necropsies during this period.
The most recent entanglement incident occurred last week when a humpback whale calf, along with its mother, was discovered entangled in over 100 meters of rope near the south coast of Vancouver Island. The team determined that the calf had been dragging the rope since July 5 after it went missing from B.C.’s central coast.
In a collaborative effort with U.S. counterparts, Cottrell’s team spent seven hours freeing the calf from the entanglement. This rescue was particularly significant as every animal is considered crucial, and saving the calf brought a sense of fulfillment to the team.
Prior to this, the team had responded to two entanglement calls within a span of two days. They successfully disentangled a whale named Wiggins for the second time in a year near French Creek on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island and then proceeded to the central Island and the Alberni Inlet for another rescue mission.
Cottrell expressed concern over the increasing frequency of entanglements, attributing it to the rising number of humpback whales in inshore waters of British Columbia. While this signifies a positive trend known as the “humpback comeback,” the overlap with inshore fishing gear poses a significant challenge.
Jackie Hildering, a researcher and educator at the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS), highlighted the positive impact of conservation efforts in granting humpback whales a “second chance” following past threats of extinction. However, she emphasized the urgent need for enhanced prevention and education measures to address the ongoing entanglement issues faced by these majestic creatures.
Hildering stressed that while disentanglements garner attention, they are not a long-term solution. She underscored the importance of proactive measures and education to reduce humpback entanglements and associated fatalities. Hildering recommended taking a whale safe boating course developed by MERS, endorsed by the federal government, as a step towards promoting safe practices around marine wildlife.
The challenges posed by whale entanglements continue to persist, highlighting the critical need for sustained efforts in conservation and education to safeguard these magnificent marine species.
