The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) specialist whale disentanglement team have been out on the water recently to hone their skills ahead of the annual humpback migration season.
Senior Conservation Planning Officer at NPWS, Mel Hall said around 20 staff undertook training on how to safely free a large whale tangled in ropes and buoys.
“Any attempt to disentangle a distressed whale is inherently dangerous and complicated by changing sea conditions, the enormous size of the whale and its instinctive behaviours,” Ms Hall said.
“Only highly trained, specialist teams should attempt to free a trapped whale and our goal with this training is to make sure our staff are equipped and ready to respond,” she said.
“Just before the humpback migration season every year we undertake this two-day training that includes working in inflatable vessels to free a four-metre inflatable ‘whale tail’ entangled in lines and ropes.”
Ms Hall said NPWS staff were also trained to attach satellite tracking devices to an entangled animal to help them track and relocate the whale in case an immediate rescue was not possible.
She said the whale disentanglement team’s surf skills were also put to the test to make sure NPWS had the most experienced and capable rescue team on the job.
“The annual whale count numbers have been steadily increasing by around 10 per cent each year, which is extremely good news,” she said.
“But naturally with more whales moving along our coast we can only expect that more may become entangled in fishing gear, wash up onto our beaches or be struck by boats.”
Ms Hall said the best way for people to help the animals was to immediately report any sightings of entangled or distressed whales to authorities.
She said anyone who saw a distressed whale should not attempt to free it but should call NPWS on 1300 072 757 or ORRCA on 02 9415 3333.
