Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Teams free entangled humpback whale off Santa Cruz Island

by NOAA Fisheries 29 Apr 2020 16:11 BST
Tightly wrapped ropes cut deeply into the tail of an entangled humpback whale © NOAA Fisheries

A trained team freed a humpback whale entangled in lines from a prawn trap set off Santa Cruz Island on Tuesday afternoon, April 14, 2020.

The team from TowBoatUS Ventura and Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute successfully removed most of the lines entangling the 25 to 30-foot whale. Some of the line was deeply embedded and could not be removed, but experts are hopeful that line may loosen and fall off over time.

The lines from the prawn gear had entangled the whale, trapping it so it could not continue.

A fisherman reported the entangled whale to the U.S. Coast Guard about noon on Monday. TowBoatUS Ventura confirmed and documented the entanglement Monday afternoon, setting the stage for a response.

TowBoatUS Ventura returned to the location on Tuesday morning with a trained disentanglement team from Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute. An accompanying vessel was on hand and available to assist.

"The strong cooperation and coordination led to a safe and successful outcome for this whale," said Justin Viezbicke, California Stranding Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. "We are fortunate that we had a trained and experienced team who responded quickly and safely."

Entanglements along the West Coast have increased in the last decade. This may reflect various factors including increasing whale populations and more overlap of whales and fishing areas. Working groups of fishermen; researchers; and state, tribal, and federal fisheries managers are trying to minimize the risk of entanglements off California, Oregon, and Washington.

Entangled whales can be dangerous and should be approached only by trained response teams authorized by NOAA Fisheries. Network partners have invested much of their own time in training for and responding to entanglements in addition to training they receive from NOAA Fisheries. We depend on these response partners along the West Coast to respond to entanglements.

Prompt reporting is the best way to help entangled whales.

Report entangled whales on the West Coast to our 24/7 Hotline by calling (877) SOS-WHALe (877-767-9425) or hailing the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16. If an authorized response is needed, please stay with the whale while you are able, if it is safe to do so.

Related Articles

Ajax East Coast Championship 2025
A weekend of great racing in Dovercourt Bay With the Ajax Nationals to be held at St Mawes Sailing Club in 2025, this year the Royal Harwich fleet's main event was the East Coast Championship. As ever, boats were based in Shotley Marina for the weekend and racing held in Dovercourt Bay. Posted today at 4:56 am
Chipstead SC Juniors Mid-summer Regatta 2025
Perfect conditions for the 57 sailors taking part On 28th June 2025 Chipmates, the Junior Class at Chipstead SC, arrived to champagne sailing conditions for this year's mid-summer regatta. With lovely warm temperatures and wind averaging 9mph with gusts up to about 18mph. Posted today at 4:39 am
2025 29er Europeans at Lake Garda Opening Ceremony
More than 500 sailors paraded through the Riva del Garda's beautiful streets The 2025 29er European Championship officially opened today in stunning Riva del Garda, hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva. More than 500 sailors paraded through the city's beautiful streets in a colorful, high-energy opening ceremony. Posted on 2 Jul
The power of tech
What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? What is the cost of safety? How do you measure it? More importantly, how do you appreciate it? Posted on 2 Jul
Jazz Turner Faces Everything and Rises
Non-stop, solo, unassisted British Isles navigation has captivated sailors & non-sailors alike Jazz Turner's Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin Vega 27ft yacht has captivated sailors and non-sailors alike. Posted on 2 Jul
GKSS Match Cup Sweden & Nordea Women's Trophy D3
Surprise exits in Marstrand as Quarter-Finalists decided The qualifying round-robin stages at GKSS Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand finished today with the surprise departure of defending champion USA's Chris Poole/ Riptide Racing and Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing Team from the Open Class. Posted on 2 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais Day 1
Sled sparkle in Cascais' Atlantic surf to lead After seemingly being starved of boisterous top end conditions for some years now Okura's Sled crew have been relishing a return to big breezes and big waves. Posted on 2 Jul
Europe Masters Championships at Hayling Day 1
The Brits showed the fleet their experience in Hayling Bay It was with some relief that the rain came overnight and the morning of the 2nd July was showery, grey but importantly much cooler, a big change to the last few days. Posted on 2 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros overall
The Meltemi winds once again set the stage for the final day As the riders gathered at the event site of the 2025 FPT Paros for one last time and the Meltemi winds once again began blowing strong, the stage for the final day of the event was set. Posted on 2 Jul
2025 IKA Youth Europeans in Gizzeria day 1
Rising stars shine at Youth Kitefoil Euros kickoff Some of the world's best young kite foilers started racing today in southern Italy aiming to become Youth European champions. Posted on 2 Jul