Yep, as stated in the Subject line, … heh.heh… I too had to figure it out and
then saw it up top.
Ken Tatro
On Jan 14, 2018, at 6:30 PM, Catherine French (Redacted sender "cfrench1366"
for DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Was it a Humpback? Nice crew work.
Calm seas,
Writer, naturalist, mentor
Catherine French
805.570.0423
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
On Jan 14, 2018, at 11:22 AM, Shirley Johnson (Redacted sender "thusone" for
DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>>
wrote:
I received this e mail from my cousin who volunteers for seal watch and such
in Maui. He says this is the fourth
entanglement this winter.
Shirley Johnson
From: "Ed Lyman - NOAA Federal" <ed.lyman@xxxxxxxx
<mailto:ed.lyman@xxxxxxxx>>
Date: Jan 13, 2018 11:15 AM
Subject: Update - 1/12/2018: Adult humpback whale reported yesterday
entangled in gear now free....
To: "Ed Lyman - NOAA Federal Edward" <Ed.lyman@xxxxxxxx
<mailto:Ed.lyman@xxxxxxxx>>
Cc:
Yesterday, January 12, 2018 the whale first reported yesterday entangled
off the Pali lookout of Maui was re-engaged by an authorized team of
trained responders. The team coordinated by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback
Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary), working under the authorization
of NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program
(permit #18786-02 ), included personnel from the Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries
Pacific Islands Region, West Maui Response team (Ultimate Whale Watch),
Turtle Island Restoration Network, Whaleman Foundation , and others. The
animal was tracked using an telemetry buoy attached to the remaining
trailing gear, and was re-acquired between Pu'u Olai and Molokini, Maui at
approximately 08:38 HST.
The team deployed the inflatable and took a very slow, methodical approach
in re-acquiring the trailing gear which was running from the right side of
the animal’s mouth. Over a one hour period they slowly moved up the line
attempting to keep the animal calm. Eventually the team moved up to within
50 feet of the animal that was at depth and in a head up/ tail down
posture. At this point (10:20 HST) it is believed with the steady tension
on the line and the favorable orientation of the animal (mouth facing up),
that the remaining gear was removed from the animal’s mouth . The animal
immediately became surface active with multiple breaches, and high speed
travel. The support boat attempted to stay with the animal as the approach
team collected the gear. Unfortunately, after approximately 15 minutes the
fast-moving animal was lost.
Again, many thanks to the crew of the fishing vessel Layla, the Hawaiian
Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA Fisheries’ Office of
Protected Resources, NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region, U. S. Coast
Guard (Station Maui and Sector Command), West Maui response team (Ultimate
Whale Watch), NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, , State, Kahoolawe Island
Reserve Commission, NOAA Corps, Turtle Island Restoration Network, Whaleman
Foundation, and many others. The efforts of all were greatly appreciated.
This is the fifth confirmed large whale entanglement case and the second
successful disentanglement effort of the season.
We are still awaiting word from our partners on the possible identity of
the gear. We did scan the gear for possible microchips and found none.
The gear measured more than 285 feet and is a 3/8 braided line. With the
removal of gear, we believe the animal has an excellent chance of
surviving.
Mariners are asked to keep a sharp lookout for entangled animals, but not
to approach closely or attempt to free them. While well-intentioned, freeing
a 40-ton animal is extremely dangerous for the animal and the would-be
rescuer. Getting in the water is especially dangerous. People have been
killed. As a result, only trained and well-equipped responders that are
authorized under NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response
Program are permitted to disentangle whales. If you sight any marine mammal
in distress, maintain 100 yards distance and please call the NOAA Fisheries'
24/7 response Hotline at 1 888 256-9840 <>. If unable to call, please
radio the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF CH. 16, and they will relay the report.
The members-only, North Pacific Large Whale Entanglement Response Website
(www.whaledisentanglement.org <http://www.whaledisentanglement.org/>) will
be updated with additional information and images.
