Scientists use tracking devices to uncover quirky behaviour in humpback whales
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Scientists use tracking devices to uncover quirky behaviour in humpback whales

ABC  

A Queensland marine rescue team says it has been one of the worst years on record for humpback whale entanglements. The Gold Coast's Sea World Foundation is dispatched to free humpback whales trapped in fishing lines and shark nets along the southern Queensland and New South Wales coastline. "There are lots of lines they can't see; it's really hard for them to navigate around it," Dr Meynecke said. A "hand-picked" team of divers braved big swells to free a humpback whale. They include "heat runs", where multiple male whales chase a female into the Gold Coast's bay and compete for her attention so they can mate.

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History of this topic

Third entangled endangered whale spotted in span of a week off East Coast
3 months ago

Third entangled endangered whale spotted in span of a week off East Coast

Associated Press  

A third endangered whale has been spotted entangled in fishing gear off the East Coast, marking an alarming end to the year for a species threatened with extinction. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said an aerial survey found an entangled whale about 60 miles east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Dec. 16. Like one of the …

Third entangled endangered whale spotted in span of a week off East Coast
3 months ago

Third entangled endangered whale spotted in span of a week off East Coast

India Today  

A third endangered whale has been spotted entangled in fishing gear off the East Coast, marking an alarming end to the year for a species threatened with extinction. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said an aerial survey found an entangled whale about 60 miles east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Dec. 16. Like one of the …

A rescue crew tried to untangle a humpback in Newport Beach. The whale has not been spotted since
3 months, 2 weeks ago

A rescue crew tried to untangle a humpback in Newport Beach. The whale has not been spotted since

LA Times  

Whale watchers noticed a rope wrapped around a humpback whale’s fin recently while the mammal was breaching the surface of the ocean. A rescue team dispatched to aid an entangled whale spotted in the waters off Newport Beach was unable to free the whale from a rope — and now the whale hasn’t been seen for days. Experts say that …

Authorities unable to locate entangled humpback whale seen off South West coast
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Authorities unable to locate entangled humpback whale seen off South West coast

ABC  

Authorities have so far failed to locate a humpback whale seen entangled in rope and dragging a buoy behind it in WA's South West. Geographe Marine Research director Rodney Peterson said he was first alerted to the whale by a local operator who had seen it during a tour. "From then I was able to contact the Parks and Wildlife …

Young humpback whale freed from fishing tackle that had entangled its tail in Sydney Harbor
7 months ago

Young humpback whale freed from fishing tackle that had entangled its tail in Sydney Harbor

Associated Press  

MELBOURNE, Australia — A young humpback whale was freed from fishing tackle that had entangled its tail during an almost 24-hour rescue operation in Sydney Harbor. The juvenile whale immediately began swimming toward the Sydney Heads and the open Pacific Ocean after government wildlife rescuers removed the ropes late Friday morning, Macquarie University whale expert Vanessa Pirotta said. The reality …

Authorities still looking for entangled humpback whale off WA's South West coast
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Authorities still looking for entangled humpback whale off WA's South West coast

ABC  

The whereabouts of an entangled humpback whale are still unknown four days after it was first spotted off Western Australia's South West coast. Geographe Marine Research chair Ian Weisse sighted the whale on Sunday and said it appeared to be dragging three buoys. Entanglement 'major threat' to whale species Marine mammal researcher Dr Kate Sprogis from the UWA Ocean Institute …

A humpback whale in Washington state is missing its tail. One expert calls the sight ‘heartbreaking’
7 months, 3 weeks ago

A humpback whale in Washington state is missing its tail. One expert calls the sight ‘heartbreaking’

Associated Press  

A humpback whale that is missing its tail and was spotted in Washington state’s inland waters likely lost its iconic flukes after becoming entangled, possibly in some kind of line or fishing gear, experts say. In 2016, the number of confirmed humpback entanglements topped 40, a year when a late Dungeness crab fishing season in California likely meant there was …

A humpback whale in Washington state is missing its tail. One expert calls the sight 'heartbreaking'
7 months, 3 weeks ago

A humpback whale in Washington state is missing its tail. One expert calls the sight 'heartbreaking'

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A humpback whale that is …

Entangled humpback whale is finally freed off Dana Point
8 months ago

Entangled humpback whale is finally freed off Dana Point

LA Times  

A NOAA crew works Friday to free a young humpback whale off Dana Point that had become entangled in rope. For the next week, crews from the agency’s large whale entanglement response network made near-daily excursions to search for the injured whale, said Justin Viezbicke, the agency’s California marine mammal response stranding coordinator. NOAA estimated that the mammal had been …

Humpback whale entangled in 800kg of fishing equipment freed in Australia
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Humpback whale entangled in 800kg of fishing equipment freed in Australia

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A humpback whale tangled up in 800kg of fishing equipment was freed following a rescue …

Rescuers free humpback whale tangled in 800kg of rope and fishing gear off Gippsland coast
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Rescuers free humpback whale tangled in 800kg of rope and fishing gear off Gippsland coast

ABC  

A humpback whale, tangled in around 200 metres of rope and fishing buoys off the Gippsland coast, has been freed almost a week after it was first spotted. Major rescue operation Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action incident controller Ellen Dwyer said specialised whale disentanglement crews, including staff from DEECA, Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria, attached a telemetry …

Rescuers search for humpback whale tangled in ropes, buoys off Gippsland coast
9 months ago

Rescuers search for humpback whale tangled in ropes, buoys off Gippsland coast

ABC  

In short: A whale tangled in 200 metres of ropes and 11 flotation buoys has gone missing off Victoria's east coast. A whale tangled in 200 metres of ropes and 11 flotation buoys has gone missing off Victoria's east coast. A massive search operation is underway after a humpback whale entangled in ropes and flotation buoys went missing off the …

Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope near Port Macquarie as crews on standby for multiple rescues
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Humpback whale entangled in fishing rope near Port Macquarie as crews on standby for multiple rescues

ABC  

In short: A humpback whale was spotted entangled in a long rope off northern NSW on Sunday, with marine rescue crews hoping to locate it again today, to help free it. A humpback whale was spotted entangled in a long rope off northern NSW on Sunday, with marine rescue crews hoping to locate it again today, to help free it. …

Right whale is found entangled off New England in a devastating year for the vanishing species
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Right whale is found entangled off New England in a devastating year for the vanishing species

Associated Press  

PORTLAND, Maine — A North Atlantic right whale has been spotted entangled in rope off New England, worsening an already devastating year for the vanishing animals, federal authorities said. “NOAA Fisheries and our partners will monitor this whale and attempt to respond to the entanglement, if possible, as weather and safety conditions allow.” Several right whales have died this year …

Right whale is found entangled off New England in a devastating year for the vanishing species
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Right whale is found entangled off New England in a devastating year for the vanishing species

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A North Atlantic right whale …

Entangled humpback whale caught in fishing rope dramatically freed by lifeboat volunteers
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Entangled humpback whale caught in fishing rope dramatically freed by lifeboat volunteers

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A team of lifeboat volunteers freed a humpback whale after …

Oregon extends crab fishing restrictions to protect whales from getting caught in trap ropes
1 year, 7 months ago

Oregon extends crab fishing restrictions to protect whales from getting caught in trap ropes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Oregon has extended rules restricting …

Humpback whale remains entangled in rope off Broome despite DBCA attempts to help
1 year, 8 months ago

Humpback whale remains entangled in rope off Broome despite DBCA attempts to help

ABC  

Marine rangers are continuing to search the Western Australian coastline for a humpback whale entangled in rope off Broome. The migratory whale was first seen by members of the public on Saturday afternoon off Broome's Gantheaume-Minyirr Point. A long rope with a white float could be seen wrapped around the whale's tail. The humpback whale was photographed with a rope …

Humpback whale gets tangled in nets. Watch ‘extremely dangerous’ rescue operation
1 year, 9 months ago

Humpback whale gets tangled in nets. Watch ‘extremely dangerous’ rescue operation

Hindustan Times  

A video of a group of rescuers freeing a humpback whale tangled in nets has gone viral. Posted on the official Facebook page of Sea World in Australia’s Gold Coast, the video shows how the rescuers reached the whale by boat to help it. “Head on-board with the Sea World Foundation team as they joined the Queensland Fisheries MART agencies …

Beached whale had lesions which suggested entanglement, expert says
1 year, 10 months ago

Beached whale had lesions which suggested entanglement, expert says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On Sunday a badly decomposed minke whale carcass was found washed up on a …

Humpback whale found on beach died after entanglement in creel lines, tests show
1 year, 10 months ago

Humpback whale found on beach died after entanglement in creel lines, tests show

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Research tracks Australian southern right whales to feeding grounds for first time
2 years ago

Research tracks Australian southern right whales to feeding grounds for first time

ABC  

Whales tagged and tracked off Australia's south coast are travelling thousands of kilometres, a new study has revealed. Key points: Australian southern right whales have been tracked to feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean A project is tracking five whales tagged off southern WA last year Researchers hope it will shed light on the threatened species Scientists tagged five southern …

Humpback whale found tangled in fishing ropes
2 years, 5 months ago

Humpback whale found tangled in fishing ropes

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A large humpback whales …

Whales freed from Queensland’s controversial shark nets
2 years, 8 months ago

Whales freed from Queensland’s controversial shark nets

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two whales entangled in shark nets on the coast of Queensland in Australia were freed …

Whale entanglements drop, but remain major threat, feds say
2 years, 9 months ago

Whale entanglements drop, but remain major threat, feds say

Associated Press  

PORTLAND, Maine — The number of whales entangled in fishing gear has declined recently, but the entanglements remain a critical threat to rare species, the federal government said in a report released Tuesday. Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the two biggest threats to declining species of whales, particularly North Atlantic right whales, which number less than 340 in …

Humpback whales caught in shark nets off Gold Coast are freed
4 years, 9 months ago

Humpback whales caught in shark nets off Gold Coast are freed

ABC  

Two humpback whales caught in shark nets off Main Beach on the northern end of the Gold Coast have been freed by fisheries officers and a team of marine experts. Key points: The humpbacks were spotted by tradie Scott Clarke at 11.00am A whale researcher said releasing the animals was difficult because of weather conditions A marine animal release team …

Climate crisis: ‘Unprecedented’ ocean heatwaves led to record numbers of whale entanglements, study reveals
5 years, 2 months ago

Climate crisis: ‘Unprecedented’ ocean heatwaves led to record numbers of whale entanglements, study reveals

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The warming of the oceans due to climate change may be helping to drive an …

Tangled whale off Sydney coast dragged netting from Queensland
5 years, 5 months ago

Tangled whale off Sydney coast dragged netting from Queensland

ABC  

A young humpback whale spotted struggling down the NSW coast had dragged the shark net it was stuck in all the way from Queensland, environmental groups say. Key points: It is believed the shark nets were collected from Queensland on September 29 Rescuers had managed to free the whale just just before 11:00am About 30,000 whales, plus newborn calves, migrate …

Whale entanglements in NSW waters hits new record prompting commercial fishing mitigation
5 years, 6 months ago

Whale entanglements in NSW waters hits new record prompting commercial fishing mitigation

ABC  

Distressing images of whales caught in fishing lines and nets are becoming more common, and authorities say an unprecedented number of entanglements have already been reported in New South Wales waters this year. Key points: Between May and September there were 35 reported whale entanglements off NSW and only a handful of successful rescues Experts say we can expect to …

Humpback whale freed from shark nets in delicate rescue off Broadbeach
5 years, 9 months ago

Humpback whale freed from shark nets in delicate rescue off Broadbeach

ABC  

Rescuers have managed to free a whale that became entangled in a shark net off the Gold Coast. Key points: The humpback whale was spotted around 8am with the net caught around the mammal's tail Choppy conditions hampered the rescue but the whale was successfully freed around 11:30am Conservation groups have now reiterated calls for shark nets to be removed …

Whale entanglements and deaths expected to rise as numbers continue to grow, experts say
5 years, 9 months ago

Whale entanglements and deaths expected to rise as numbers continue to grow, experts say

ABC  

The entanglement of two humpback whales on the NSW coast has highlighted the man-made threats marine life face at an increasing rate. Key points: Marine rescuers were unable to disentangle two whales off the NSW coast over the weekend Experts say we can expect to see more entanglements as whale populations increase Humpback whale numbers are increasing by up to …

Humpback whale freed after becoming caught in fishing ropes off Port Elliot coast
5 years, 11 months ago

Humpback whale freed after becoming caught in fishing ropes off Port Elliot coast

ABC  

A 10-metre humpback whale that became tangled in fishing ropes off the South Australian coast has now been set free after a delicate rescue operation that lasted several hours. Key points: Initial reports said a humpback whale was tangled in craypot ropes near Chiton Rocks A local whale expert said it was likely "distressed and exhausted" An exclusion zone was …

Whale rescue mission off Tasmanian coast as entangled animal spotted again
6 years, 6 months ago

Whale rescue mission off Tasmanian coast as entangled animal spotted again

ABC  

A rescue mission is underway for a whale swimming in Tasmanian waters with its tail entangled in rope and buoys, two weeks after it was spotted in the same predicament off the Victorian coast. On Sunday, Tasmanian Police received reports of an entangled southern right whale at Binalong Bay, with local tour operators and members of the public confirming the …

Humpback whale entangled in 285ft of rope freed by rescuers off coast of Hawaii
7 years, 2 months ago

Humpback whale entangled in 285ft of rope freed by rescuers off coast of Hawaii

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A humpback whale spotted …

Orca sightings off NSW coast spark call for marine mammal research funding
7 years, 4 months ago

Orca sightings off NSW coast spark call for marine mammal research funding

ABC  

The growing number of humpback whales migrating along the New South Wales north coast is bringing a corresponding rise in attacks by alpha predators. "We've had them this year from Byron Bay down to South West Rocks we believe it was the same pod," Mr Ling said. Dr Harrison said recent sighting of orcas off the north coast highlighted the …

Humpback whale tangled in rope off Perth sparks search and rescue operation
7 years, 6 months ago

Humpback whale tangled in rope off Perth sparks search and rescue operation

ABC  

An operation has resumed this morning to rescue a humpback whale caught in a cray pot rope off the coast of Western Australia. Fremantle Sea Rescue skipper Josh Gammon-Carson said the whale was trapped in what appeared to be a cray pot or octopus pot rope. For more than seven hours, 13 officers from Parks and Wildlife and the Fremantle …

Whale gets entangled in cruise ship anchor for half a day
7 years, 6 months ago

Whale gets entangled in cruise ship anchor for half a day

Associated Press  

JUNEAU, Alaska — A humpback whale became entangled in an anchor line on a small cruise ship in southeast Alaska, getting stuck for roughly 12 hours while federal authorities and the boat’s crew worked to free it. Ultimately, the anchor chain wrapped around the whale’s lower jaw was cut in hopes it could wriggle loose, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration …

Two humpback whales freed from fishermen’s nets off US coast
8 years, 10 months ago

Two humpback whales freed from fishermen’s nets off US coast

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two humpback whales have …

Rescuers continue working to free entangled whale off coast of San Diego County
9 years, 4 months ago

Rescuers continue working to free entangled whale off coast of San Diego County

LA Times  

Rescuers continued working Saturday to free a humpback whale that had become tangled in fishing line off the Southern California coast. Justin Viezbicke, California Stranding Network coordinator for NOAA, said it is now off the coast of San Diego County. Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >> He said the whale still appears healthy but added there is …

Would-be rescuers follow tangled-up whale from Balboa Pier to San Diego
9 years, 4 months ago

Would-be rescuers follow tangled-up whale from Balboa Pier to San Diego

LA Times  

After a challenging effort Friday afternoon to untangle a humpback whale that became wrapped in a fishing gear near the Balboa Pier, authorities hoped to continue trying to free the whale Saturday in San Diego. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol received a call about noon Friday that a whale had become caught in at least 250 feet of …

Crews work late to free entangled blue whale but lose track of giant mammal
9 years, 6 months ago

Crews work late to free entangled blue whale but lose track of giant mammal

LA Times  

Crews attempting to aid a blue whale that became entangled in what appeared to be heavy fishing line off Point Fermin in San Pedro worked into the night Friday to try to free the giant mammal, but eventually lost track of it, officials said. But Viezbicke said that the marine mammal experts on the scene determined that the best course …

Trapped humpback whale sparks call for shark net rethink
10 years, 5 months ago

Trapped humpback whale sparks call for shark net rethink

ABC  

The Queensland Government is being urged to rethink its shark netting program after the eighth whale of the migration season was trapped off Rainbow Beach on the Cooloola Coast yesterday. A five-metre juvenile humpback whale was set free yesterday afternoon after becoming entangled in the Rainbow Beach shark net. The Australian Marine Conservation Society's Darren Kindleysides said it was time …

Juvenile humpback whale trapped in shark net off Rainbow Beach cut free
10 years, 5 months ago

Juvenile humpback whale trapped in shark net off Rainbow Beach cut free

ABC  

A juvenile humpback whale caught in a shark net off Queensland's Rainbow Beach has been cut free by rescue teams. Earlier, Queensland Shark control manager Jeff Krause said the whale was not in danger. "It's pretty well wrapped up in one of the nets but it's breathing easily," Mr Krause said. "It's on the surface so there's no imminent danger …

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