‘Sad predicament’ - humpback whale entangled in rope in Donegal Bay
“From the images it appears it has been there for a while and cutting into the fluke" - Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG)
A humpback whale in Donegal Bay was found to have rope entangled cutting into its tail fluke.
The observation was made during filming by filmmaker Kev L Smith who passed on the image and record to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).
It was the first observation of this particular whale in Donegal Bay and it has been given a unique catalogue number which will help track its movements and condition should it be observed in the future.
A spokesperson for IWDG expressed concern for the wellbeing of the animal.
“From the images it appears it has been there for a while and cutting into the fluke,” said the spokesperson on the organisation’s Facebook page.
“A very sad predicament and one that must be having a very negative effect on the whale, though its body condition is not currently concerning.”
According to the IWDG, entanglement by humpback whales is an emerging issue in some parts of the world.
The spokesperson said: “IWDG has highlighted this issue and recently worked with IMBRSea student at Atlantic Technological University Julie Fichefet who carried out a risk assessment of entanglement in pot ropes in Irish waters.”
This whale is not known to the IWDG and has been given a new catalogue number #126. It is not one of the whales that have been regularly photographed in Donegal Bay in recent months.
Unfortunately, it seems that intervention is not an option at present, though this could change.
“It would not be possible to restrict this whale to cut off the rope as it is currently too mobile,” explained the spokesperson.
“We will try and monitor the progress of this whale to see if it frees itself of the rope or if we can intervene to help it.”
IWDG thanked filmmaker Kev L. Smith for sending on the images and record.
Anyone who wishes to report a whale or dolphin sighting or stranding can do so at www.iwdg.ie
The website also has updates and information relating to whales and dolphins in Irish waters.