Marine Debris Hurts Whales

By Jean Souza

A humpback whales is seen entangled with life-threatening debris. Photo by Humpback Whale Sanctuary/NOAA MMHSRP, permit #932-1905

Of the large whales we observe in Hawai‘i, humpback whales are the ones most likely to become entangled. Marine debris, such as lost rope, fishing line and nets all pose entanglement threats. Entanglements threaten the lives of the whales in several ways.

Debris tangled around their bodies makes swimming difficult, and slow-moving whales are more vulnerable to being hit by boats or attacked by sharks. Body entanglements can cause serious infections when tight lines cut into them, and mouth entanglements make feeding difficult.

Marine debris prevention helps whales and our environment.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary: 2022 Entanglement Response

Seven individual animals have already been helped this season by a team of trained professionals from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and its partners. The team works under the authorization of the NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (permit no.18786-06). Natural Resource Specialist Ed Lyman reports that more than 3,000 feet of line has been removed from the animals, significantly increasing their chance of survival.

A humpback whale is seen here with its calf. Photo by Jason Moore/NOAA MMHSRP, permit #18786-06

The removed gear is recovered when possible and studied to determine its origin and if any lessons can be learned to avoid future whale entanglements. Previous investigations have uncovered that some humpback whales have carried gear into the sanctuary from high-latitude feeding grounds as far as 2,500 nautical miles away.

One of the whales disentangled this season was a yearling with a mooring buoy trailing from its tail fluke. The young animal was freed from 140 feet of gear and an estimated 700 pounds of weight by the response team, and granted a new chance at survival.

Another case involved a nursing mother with gear wrapped tightly around her head and trailing marine debris.

Her calf remained by her side and a male followed in tow while the multi-agency Pacific Islands Large Whale Entanglement Response Team mounted a six-hour response.

Rescuers used a specialized knife with an angled blade to cut away more than 550 feet of gear. Cameras and drones helped the rescuers identify where to safely cut until the mother was finally freed. After the mother’s release, the young calf tucked itself under its mother’s chin as they both slipped into resting behavior.

Balloons

A humpback whale is seen entangled with life-threatening debris consisted of more than 20 different materials. Photo by Marc Lammers/NOAA MMHSRP

Balloons are sometimes released accidentally or on purpose during celebrations, memorial services, and other special events. The balloons eventually deflate and fall back to earth, some dropping into the ocean.

Some marine animals, especially sea turtles, have been known to ingest balloons, mistaking them for jellyfish, their natural prey. The swallowed balloons can block air passages, causing animals to suffocate, or may get stuck in their stomachs or intestines where they may disrupt digestion. Balloon strings can also pose an entanglement and ingestion threat to marine life.

Think of alternatives to balloon releases for community celebrations, such as tree plantings, unveiling of street art or educational giveaways.

Fish, seabirds and marine mammals mistakenly ingest marine debris, such as balloons. Marine debris sometimes accumulates in their bodies to the point where they no longer have room in their bellies for food and nutrients to sustain life. Adult seabirds, such as albatrosses, may regurgitate the ingested plastics and unknowingly feed it to chicks back at the nest.

Where Does Marine Debris Come From?

A humpback whale is seen entangled with life-threatening debris consisted of more than 20 different materials. Photo by Marc Lammers/NOAA MMHSRP

We humans are responsible for marine debris. Any trash that is improperly disposed of, as well as any materials that are improperly transported or stored, have the potential to become marine debris. Sources of marine debris include, but are not limited to: beachgoers, improperly disposed trash on land, stormwater sewers and sewer overflow, ships/boats and other vessels, industrial facilities, waste disposal activities, and offshore oil and gas platforms.

Any action we can take that prevents any item from becoming marine debris is part of the solution. Visit www.marinedebris.noaa.gov to learn more.

Marine Debris 101 Education Kit

A special learning kit on marine debris is available for free to Kaua‘i students and families while supplies last. This collection of lessons and activities was provided by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Email Jean Souza at jean.souza@noaa.gov to request one.

• Jean Souza serves as the on-site manager of Kaua‘i Ocean Discovery at Kukui Grove Center and is a Program Specialist with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. She can be contacted at souza@noaa.gov.