At 11h12, Thursday, 21 September, NSRI Gqeberha Station 6, including 3 NSRI Gqeberha crew trained in SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN) whale disentanglement techniques and methods, launched 2 NSRI rescue craft from the NSRI rescue station at the Port of Gqeberha, Rescue 6 Alpha and Rescue 6 Bravo, following eye-witness reports of a whale entangled in fishing rope lines.
NSRI had been alerted just before 11h00 by the owner of a whale watching boat, reporting that on a whale watching expedition with guests they had witnessed a juvenile Humpback whale entangled in ropes and nets, near to St. Croix Island, Algoa Bay.
They reported that the whale appeared to be tired but looked to be in a good and healthy state.
Mike Meyer, of SAWDN, was alerted.
On the 2 NSRI rescue craft arriving in the area a search commenced.
The whale watching boat called again saying that they had again come across the whale 8 nautical miles from the Port of Gqeberha towards Koega.
On locating the whale, about 9 meters in length, the whale was found to be tired and lethargic with a rope trailing 17 meters behind the whale, with 2 floatation buoys entangled in fishing rope that was entangling around parts of the whale.
Kegging buoys, to prevent that whale from diving under water, were initially set up but the young whale appeared to be so exhausted that the kegging buoys were not necessary and they were removed.
From the NSRI JetRib rescue craft, Rescue 6 Bravo, the SAWDN trained crew, using specialised cutting equipment, initiated cuts to a large entanglement of rope and gear on top of the whales fluke.
There were 4 to 5 wraps around the fluke.
The rope and fishing gear entangling the whale was thick and despite the specialised cutting equipment progress was slow – then after 2 good cuts and recovery of fishing gear had been achieved the operation was paused after a cutting pole broke.
The 2 NSRI rescue craft moved away from the whale to give the whale some space and for the SAWDN and NSRI crews to re-group to discuss a way forward – with the remaining cutting pole.
The 8.8 meter RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) NSRI rescue craft, Rescue 6 Alpha, then moved into position and was able to reach right up to the whale, which was clearly exhausted, and the crew initiated cuts to 3 or 4 loops of heavy fishing rope until all loops of rope and the buoys were removed from the animal and recovered.
The whale showed signs of beginning to move freely through the water.
From scarring it is suspected that the fishing gear, rope and floatation buoys may initially have been entangled around the head and most likely over time shifted around the fluke and Caudal Peduncle.
Samples have been collected for research. All fishing gear and buoys recovered were brought to shore and will be examined.
SAWDN and NSRI commend the owner of the whale watching boat, for alerting NSRI.
We are confident that the whale is healthy and will survive following this successful operation.
The operation completed at 15h30.
Alan Straton
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