NOAA Fisheries Trains for Whale Entanglement Response with New York and New Jersey Partners

Entanglement of large whales in fishing gear and marine debris is a significant threat to recovering whale populations. In the Greater Atlantic region, an average of 26 large whale entanglements were reported each year between 2007 and 2025. This accounts for more than a third of the average of 73 reported nationwide. While some whales are successfully disentangled by trained responders, preventing entanglement is our first priority.

To improve rapid reporting and potential responses to large whale entanglement cases, NOAA Fisheries staff recently led a large whale disentanglement workshop at the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The area has become a hotspot for juvenile humpback whale sightings.

"This workshop demonstrates NOAA Fisheries' commitment to protected species. The Howard Lab at Sandy Hook was an ideal place to bring partners from the New York/New Jersey area together because of our location in the mid-Atlantic Bight and the recent increase in humpback whale activity in the area," explained Jim Vasslides, director of the Howard Lab.

Howard Marine Science Lab Hosts Disentanglement Workshop

The workshop, held on May 19, gathered 26 participants representing 12 federal, state, and non-profit agencies from across the New York and New Jersey metro area. David Morin, the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office's Large Whale Disentanglement Coordinator, and Ainsley Smith, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, led the group through the basics of documenting and reporting an entangled whale. Attendees familiarized themselves with the unique tools used to disentangle a whale. They reviewed case studies in which local agencies assisted trained specialists from the national marine mammal entanglement response networks during an entanglement response.

The national marine mammal entanglement response networks safely and effectively respond to reports of entangled marine mammals and provide response coverage in all coastal states. For example, in July 2020, authorized responders successfully disentangled a humpback whale. It had been anchored in place by thousands of pounds of fishing gear in a busy shipping channel into the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Attendees spanned a robust network of regional collaborators, including:

• U.S. Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, Sector Delaware Bay, Station Manasquan Inlet and Station Barnegat Light
• New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Law Enforcement officers
• New York Police Department Emergency Services Unit
• New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement officers
• Gateway National Recreation Area National Park Service rangers
• The Marine Mammal Stranding Center
• Marine Academy of Science and Technology

Disentanglement Drills Provide On-the-Water Experience

On May 20, trained and authorized NOAA Fisheries staff practiced on-water entanglement response drills. They worked closely with New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement officers, who trailed a mock entanglement behind their vessel.

To keep authorized responders ready for an event, we conduct training to practice skills. One drill includes throwing a specialized grapple-a metal tool with a working line attached-into gear that is entangling a whale. Responders can use that working line to apply buoys, creating drag. This is a technique modified from whaling times, known as "kegging," which slows down the whale and allows responders to work on removing gear. Responders also practiced maneuvering a small boat called a zodiac around trailing gear.

These drills help responders follow NOAA's best practices. All entanglement responses conducted in the United States are authorized under NOAA's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (Permit #24359).

What to Do If You See an Entangled Whale

Only experienced, trained, knowledgeable people with proper support and equipment-working under NOAA Fisheries permit-may respond to entangled whales.

Reporting an entangled whale quickly is essential because even some entangled whales can travel miles within a few minutes. To report a live, entangled whale between Maine and Virginia, call NOAA's 24-hour stranding hotline at (866) 755-6622 or hail the U.S. Coast Guard on Channel 16.

Whale entanglements are complex and dangerous for the responders, as well as for the animal. NOAA and trained responders assess each case individually. Each report may contain valuable clues on the whales' health, the configuration of the entanglement, and how rescue teams can best assist the whale while remaining safe.