Known for rescuing whales and other sea creatures from entanglements, the Provincetown-based Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) Saturday saved a humpback from yet another danger.
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A 15-foot minke whale was rescued last Sunday, by the Center for Coastal Studies Marine Animal Entanglement Response (MAER) after it was trapped in fishing gear 40 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard. Scientists have since then rescued the whale. By the time that the research team stumbled upon the scene, the shark had already taken advantage of the whale’s distress, biting into it several times. Sharks are most likely to target helpless whales that are usually incapacitated or sick ones and other vulnerable, weak animals.
It could not fully use its tail for swimming or to fend off the shark. She adds that the researchers are not aware of how long the whale has been entangled and struggling with its ordeal. Since the great white remained in the area when the team arrived, they worked from the deck of the 35-foot-long response boat Ibis to free the whale from the rope, cutting away the section that had become lodged in its mouth.
The whale had become entangled in a long rope, which was wrapped around its tail fluke and also lodged in its mouth.
The whale wasn’t able to move much near the surface and could not defend itself against the shark and was injured by it. The shark left a large bite mark along the whale’s left flank.
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Mariners are asked to reported stranded marine animals via the MAER Hotline at 800-900-3622 or to the U.S. Coast Guard on Channel 16. Boaters should also stay at a safe distance and not attempt to disentangle the animal on their own until trained emergency response teams arrive.
