![]() People, including trained and authorized responders, have died while attempting to rescue an entangled whale. Despite the large size of some whale species, weighing up to 200 tons, they are quick and flexible. Responding to entangled large whales is inherently dangerous and only trained and authorized responders should approach (including the use of drones, vessels, personal watercraft, etc.) within 100 yards of an entangled whale (within 500 yards for North Atlantic right whales). The whales do not understand that responders are trying to help and can react violently and unpredictably. ![]() Level 5: Authorized responder duties are similar to Level 4, except that responders may remove entangling gear from all species of whales, and have additional training and experience in responding to North Atlantic right whales. Level 4 responders can perform these activities on all whale species except North Atlantic right whales, as disentangling this species is particularly dangerous. Level 4: Authorized responders use tools to cut and remove entangling gear. ![]() Level 3: Authorized responders closely approach entangled whales for visual health assessments and may attach tracking devices (tags) to entangling material so entangled whales can be followed remotely and quickly located. Level 2: Responders are trained to assess and document entangled large whales and may be asked to assist higher-level responders with entanglement response activities. ![]() Level 1: First responders are trained to spot and report entangled large whales and may be asked to assist in tracking and documenting entangled whales from a distance. Large whale entanglement responders are authorized by NOAA Fisheries, and are categorized into five levels, based on training and expertise: Credit: Jason Moore/NOAA, taken under NOAA Permit #18786 Responder Levels Trained responders in the small inflatable celebrate after removing more than 100 feet of entangling line from a humpback whale, seen breaching in the background, near Makena Beach, Maui, Hawaii. NOAA also supports the network by providing tools, training, protocols, some funding, and oversight across the country to ensure these activities are conducted in a manner that emphasizes human and animal safety. Responders must undergo significant training before they are authorized under a permit, issued to the NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, to closely approach or attempt to free an entangled whale (see “Responder Levels” section below). Network members have significant experience in entanglement response, which they have gained through training and responses overseen by NOAA. The network includes members from non-profit, academic, industry, and government organizations. Response operations in the United States are coordinated by NOAA Fisheries and conducted by the National Large Whale Entanglement Response Network. There is usually time for trained response teams to locate the animal, carefully assess and document the entanglement, and in some cases remove the entangling material when determined to be appropriate and safe. While entangled large whales are always considered to be in distress, injuries are not necessarily life threatening at the onset. The Large Whale Entanglement Response Network The National Large Whale Entanglement Network mounts response operations to remove entangling gear, provide relief to individually entangled animals, and gain important information for marine mammal conservation and recovery. Severe entanglements can cause injuries that can result in death from infection, starvation, amputation ( e.g., flippers or flukes), blood loss, strangulation, or drowning. Entanglements often interfere with swimming, feeding, breathing, and other vital functions. However, whales unable to free themselves can carry the entanglement for days, months, or even years. Some whales that become entangled are able to shed the gear on their own. Large whales, which include baleen and sperm whales, can become entangled in active, lost, or discarded fishing gear and marine debris. Credit: Andy Dietrick/NOAA, taken under NOAA Permit #18786 A NOAA-led team of marine mammal responders in Unalaska Bay, near Dutch Harbor, Alaska, use a knife on the end of a long pole to cut a rope entangling a humpback whale.
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