Saving Sockeye

The scientists and crew of the NOAA Ship, Nancy Foster, and the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies disentangled a humpback whale, known as "Sockeye" from fishing gear off the coast of Massachusetts last Sunday.

Scientists who were already familiar with Sockeye had sighted the whale the previous afternoon gear-free feeding in a large group just northwest of the location where the animal was observed entangled.

When the rescue team arrived on scene, they added buoys to provide drag to slow down the whale so that they could get the gear off.  Some cuts on the netting attached to the side of the animal, then applying some pressure on the other side, proved to be the exact combination the whale needed to get the gear off before he swam freely into the night.

Scientists use what they learn from entanglements to provide guidance for management activities that ultimately reduce this danger.

"What a wonderful feeling watching the whale swim away gear free," said Jamison Smith, disentanglement coordinator for the NOAA Fisheries Service. "Our team was just thrilled to be able to help in this situation, but we are certainly aware that for every one that is successfully disentangled, there are others that are reported but never re-sighted, making rescue attempts impossible."

--LiveScience Staff

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Credit: NOAA