LIHUE — While officials are investigating the carcass of a baby humpback whale that washed up on Kauai’s west shores in January, officials on Maui have been working to disentangle an adult.
The whale was reported Sunday morning by a tour vessel and triggered action from Ed Lyman, the Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator, and his team.
By Tuesday, the team had cut a buoy and gear from the animal, but the humpback whale remained entangled.
“The whale tracked off Maui over the weekend presented a very difficult entanglement,” Lyman said.
“The configurations of gear and ocean conditions were challenging.”
While weighing personal risk and potential harm to the whale against rescue actions and data-gathering, the team eventually lost track of the whale, and the network is prepared to respond if it’s seen again.
“The gear recovered will provide information about where it is from, helping to mitigate future threats,” Lyman said.
Officials are asking people to keep an eye out for the whale, but emphasize people should not try to free the animal themselves.
“Trying to free a 40-ton, 45-foot whale is extremely dangerous, hence requiring authorization,” Lyman said.
To report an entangled whale, call the NOAA Hotline at 888-256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
