There was more evidence this week of the increased numbers of humpback whales in UK waters, along with the threats they face, although in this case a potential tragedy was averted.
A member of the public raised the alarm at the Organic Sea Harvest salmon farm off Skye and alerted the authorities to a humpback that had become entangled in gear. A team from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) mobilised to the farm and were able to cut the whale free. The whale was reportedly already entangled in rope which snagged with the farm’s moorings.
This is the second time in three months that BDMLR have disentangled a humpback whale in Scottish waters, having freed one snagged in creel ropes in Loch Fyne on November 4.
A huge shout out to all those involved in the rescue. These rescues are extremely dangerous and require specialised training and exceptional communication.
At least three humpback mortalities from entanglement have been recorded in Scotland since 2019, and as the whales return to UK waters in greater numbers, this is an emerging concern.
Tens of thousands of cetaceans are entangled in fishing gear every year and injured or killed, decimating vulnerable populations and pushing some species towards the brink of extinction. Our monitoring work plays a vital part in helping to identify hotspots where cetaceans are vulnerable to bycatch, so please visit www.orca.org.uk/donate to help support this vital work.