A humpback whale was recently sighted in Washington state’s inland waters missing its tail, believed to have lost its flukes due to entanglement, possibly in fishing gear. Discovered in late July, experts from The Whale Museum on San Juan Island responded to the sighting, noting the heartbreaking scene of the whale without its iconic flukes used for propulsion. The incident occurred in the Salish Sea, a maze of inland waters between Washington and British Columbia.
The research director at The Whale Museum, Jessica Farrer, expressed the emotional impact of witnessing a humpback whale without its flukes, remarking on the significance of these massive appendages measuring over 15 feet across. Analysis of photos and videos of the whale led experts to conclude that entanglement likely caused the loss of its flukes, though the exact entangling material remains unknown.
Humpback whales face various hazards, with entanglement in fishing gear being a significant threat according to NOAA Fisheries. Reports indicate that most humpback whales may encounter entanglement at some point, with uncertain outcomes in terms of survival. Data from NOAA Fisheries showed 16 confirmed humpback entanglements off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California last year, with even higher numbers in previous years.
Humpback entanglements are a recurring issue along the West Coast, as evidenced by recent incidents in California and Alaska. Experts emphasize the grim outlook for a humpback whale without its flukes, emphasizing the suffering that entangled whales may endure. Efforts to reduce entanglements have been increasing in recent years, with states like California implementing changes in managing fisheries to protect whales.
Although humpback whale populations on the U.S. West Coast have been thriving, the situation contrasts with the East Coast’s challenges, particularly with entanglements of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. NOAA Fisheries has identified entanglements as a significant threat to the survival of North Atlantic right whales, underscoring the ongoing effort to address and mitigate entanglement risks for marine mammals.
