On January 8 and 9, 2025, two humpback whales were successfully freed from life-threatening entanglements off the coast of Maui, highlighting the ongoing conservation efforts for these majestic creatures.
The first rescue involved a subadult humpback whale entangled with 200 feet of line, which was reported by a local tour operator. Trained responders swiftly intervened, using an inflatable boat to cut the entangling gear and free the whale.
The following day, an adult humpback whale was spotted entangled off Kahana. This whale had three tight wraps of heavier gauge lines around its body, but responders managed to remove a significant amount of gear, although some wraps remained inaccessible.
Both incidents involved collaboration from various organizations, including the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA Fisheries, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in marine conservation.
To assist in whale rescue efforts, the public is encouraged to report any sightings of injured or entangled marine mammals by calling the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline. Additionally, mariners should adhere to boating guidelines to protect these animals during whale season.