Tragic Loss: Humpback Whale Dies After Becoming Entangled in Fishing Gear
A recent incident off the coast of Northland has brought to light a heartbreaking situation: a humpback whale has died after getting caught in the rope of a cray pot. This unfortunate event was documented in a report by Fisheries New Zealand, which details accidental captures of seabirds and protected marine species that occurred between July 1 and September 30.
Fisheries New Zealand has not disclosed the specific location or exact date of the whale's demise, although it was confirmed to have happened in September. According to RNZ, the entanglement is believed to have occurred off the eastern coastline of Northland.
Simon Lawrence, director of science and information at Fisheries New Zealand, verified the whale's death, noting that this marks the first recorded instance of a humpback whale dying due to entanglement with a rock lobster pot buoy rope in New Zealand. The fisherman who encountered the entangled whale promptly reported the incident to both the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fisheries New Zealand, as per regulatory requirements.
While such fatalities are uncommon, entanglements involving buoy ropes and various types of fishing equipment do happen more frequently. For instance, in November, DOC personnel successfully freed another humpback whale that had been trapped in a cray pot rope for an exhausting 18 hours near Kaikoura. Additionally, a similar case was reported off the Otago coast in June, and back in February 2023, a humpback whale spotted in Doubtless Bay was found with a crayfish pot rope wrapped around its tail, prompting a significant search effort by both air and sea.
In another alarming incident from February, a rare Arnoux's beaked whale became entangled in oyster bag lines within Whangaroa Harbour in Northland.
The report from Fisheries New Zealand also highlighted the broader impact of fishing activities on wildlife, revealing that during the September quarter, a total of 75 seabirds were accidentally captured, including 15 albatrosses—an increase compared to the nine captured during the same timeframe last year. Moreover, two Hector's dolphins were caught, one near the west coast of the South Island and the other off Banks Peninsula. Six endangered sea lions were also reported as bycatch during this period, with three of these incidents occurring near the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands due to scampi fishing, and one in set nets at Stewart Island. It’s worth noting that the New Zealand sea lion, considered the world's rarest sea lion species, has an estimated population of only 10,000.
In total, nearly 300 New Zealand fur seals were captured in the September quarter, showing an increase from 247 during the same period last year. Fortunately, six sea turtles were caught but all were safely released.
Despite these entanglement incidents, Simon Lawrence stated that there is no current evidence suggesting that whale populations are being adversely affected by interactions with rock lobster pot buoy ropes. In fact, the number of humpback whales migrating through New Zealand waters appears to be on the rise.
To address the issue and minimize risks to whales from pot fishing gear, both DOC and the New Zealand Rock Lobster Industry Council are advocating for several mitigation strategies. These include educating fishermen about responsible gear management practices, emphasizing the importance of retrieving lost or abandoned equipment, avoiding areas frequented by whales, and knowing how to respond if a whale becomes entangled. They also stress the importance of promptly and accurately reporting any whale sightings.
Fisheries New Zealand provides specific guidance for individuals who come across an entangled whale:
- Avoid approaching or attempting to free the animal yourself;
- Make note of the whale's location, its direction of movement, and any distinctive features that could help with identification;
- Contact the Department of Conservation immediately via their 24-hour hotline at 0800 DOC HOT.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the challenges that marine wildlife face due to human activities. How can we better protect these magnificent creatures? What are your thoughts on the measures being taken to prevent such incidents in the future?
