Wildlife experts say a southern right whale was mistakenly identified as an entangled humpback whale off the coast of Crowdy Head.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A rescue effort to free the whale was initiated by NSW Parks and Wildlife Service and ORCCA members at about 9am on Thursday, July 26.
ORRCA coordinator Tiffany-Lee said it was a case of mistaken identity.
“What people thought were white buoys on the whale were in fact just the whale’s natural colouring,” she said.
“Southern right whales can also have callosities or calluses on them which can look like buoys.”
Wildlife experts are still asking for the public’s help to locate at least two entangled whales off the coast.
If any members of the public spot what they believe to be an entangled whale they should contact the ORCCA hotline on 9415 3333.
National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS) spokesperson, Susan Crocetti, said people on any of the coastal headlands or on water craft and other vessels may come across these entangled whales.
Immediately reporting the whale’s location and direction of travel will improve the NPWS response and chance of successful disentanglement.
“A humpback calf was reported by a fisherman later yesterday (July 24) afternoon as tangled just off Point Plomer north of Port Macquarie with up to five white buoys trailing behind it as it attempted to travel north,” Ms Crocetti said.
“A bit further south an adult whale was seen off Forster with ropes wrapped around its body but no floats and off Crescent Head onshore observers spotted an adult whale dragging a single white buoy.
“Unfortunately, the timing and locations have proved too difficult for us to mount any sort of effective disentanglement. The sooner we relocate these animals to quicker we can potentially mount an operation to remove entanglements.”
If people observe an entangled whale it would be ideal if people can keep visual contact with the whale including capturing any images of the entanglement and contacting NPWS immediately.
“So far this season we have seen eight entangled whales. We will see more before the season is out I’m sure as last year’s record was a total of 21,” Ms Crocetti said.
Migrating whales occasionally become entangled in fishing gear and other ocean debris. Entangled whales tire quickly and often perish.
The 12-metre, 18 tonne humpback whale was freed from fishing lines but struggled throughout the night before dying off Nobbys Beach.
NPWS maintains a number of specialised whale disentanglement teams who undertake the tricky task of removing entanglement.
For the safety of whales and the general public, there are rules in place that govern how close people can go to whales.
Boats should go no closer than 300 metres and 400 metres if there is a calf.
There are also restrictions for how close drones and other aircraft can go to whales.
The whale migration season triggered the removal of all five shark nets on the NSW North Coast and an end to the second shark net trial.
To report entangled whales call the Enviroline on 131 555 or ORRCA on 02 9415 3333.
