Crews FREE Humpback Whale tangled in fishing line off Hawaii

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) -- Officials say a 45-ton humpback whale entangled with fishing line in Hawaii waters for more than a week is finally free.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary said Saturday that its craft got within 10 feet of the mammal a day earlier and the crew used a pole equipped with a knife to saw the line free.

Ed Lyman of the sanctuary says several hundred feet of line was cut away.

West Hawaii Today reports (http://bit.ly/1z8kzIG ) that when the 45-foot-long whale swam free, all line but a small piece lodged in a wound was off. Lyman says that the fragment will fall away as the wound heals.

FULL story at link. See this earlier LBN post too: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141016663



This image provided by NOAA's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program shows a camera on pole with flying line cutter knife making the last cut to free the whale. The Sanctuary said Saturday Feb. 21, 2015 that its craft got within 10 feet of the mammal a day earlier and the crew used a pole equipped with a knife to saw the line free. Ed Lyman of the sanctuary says several hundred feet of line was cut away. Pictured from left: Ed Lyman and Grant Thompson. (AP Photo/NOAA's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program)

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HAWAII_TANGLED_WHALE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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With only 21,000 North Pacific humpback whales in the Pacific Ocean, they are an endangered species. They face many challenges from ship strikes and ocean noise, to pollution and fishing nets that can easily entangle them.

Along the whales’ migratory path off the beautiful Mexican coast of Guerrero, a lack of awareness and education about local marine mammals and the importance of marine biodiversity has lead to poor boating practices around marine mammals and years of over-fishing. The situation will only worsen as fishing remains unchecked and locals are not educated about the impact their behavior has on the whales’ safety and Guerrero’s marine ecosystem.

Thanks to the Whales of Guerrero Research Project, there may be hope.

The organization not only conducts research and offers education to the local communities, but also works to provide alternative jobs to the fisherman, such as leading whale-watching tours. They are also creating programs for Mexican students interested in studying the humpback whales and the ecosystem they live in. By focusing on the community as a whole, Whales of Guerrero is finding innovative ways to create a sustainable community where the local marine population and the local people can live and thrive together.

You can help the Whales of Guerrero Research Project today. With a quick click, you’ll fund 37 hours of whale research that will lead to a better life for both the humpback whale and the community of Guerrero as a whole.

[libdem4life]

1. Seems I remember one of these events and think it was the baby that got caught. Anyway the

circling and spouting and "showing off" clearly saying thank you just made my day and has always stayed in my memory.

[packman]

2. That's good news

[Judi Lynn]

3. If only all stories could end with help arriving in time. So glad this one did. Thank you. n/t