A team effort involving a fisherman, specialist whale staff, and Tassal workers has helped save a humpback whale that became entangled in fishing nets off the south-east coast.
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On Thursday morning a fisherman off the coast of Nubeena realised the whale was caught up in one of his nets.
He contacted the Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment to help him set the whale free and stayed with the whale to monitor its movements.
DPIPWE wildlife biologist Rachael Alderman said the fisherman followed the whale for hours waiting for the specialist staff to arrive.
“Thanks to the quick notification by the fisherman and then his willingness to stay with the whale over several hours and provide ongoing updates and its precise location, we were able to get to the animal and undertake the rescue,” Dr Alderman said.
Tassal staff also helped the fisherman track the whale’s location throughout the afternoon until DPIPWE’s team arrived.
IN WHALE NEWS
“We were then able to use specially developed techniques that involve attaching a series of ropes and buoys to the entanglement to slow the whale down and try and remove the netting,” Dr Alderman said.
“Late [Thursday], just off Shipsterns Bluff, the tactic proved successful and helped drag the entanglement from the whale and the gear was recovered.
“The whale was last seen swimming freely and heading south past Shipsterns Bluff.”
Dr Alderman said it was important people did not try to disentangle trapped whales themselves, but should call DPIPWE for assistance.
“The work of this fisherman has highlighted that by working together we can reduce the risk to marine mammals and when they do occur provide the animal with the greatest chance of being successfully rescued,” Dr Alderman said.
Whale sightings can be reported to the Marine Mammal hotline on 0427 WHALES.
