Disentanglement team poised for humpback whale migration along NSW coast

The migration of tens of thousands of majestic humpback whales along the NSW coastline has commenced with the first sighted off Sydney this week.

A disentanglement team has been launched and is poised should the whales become entangled in fishing gear and other marine debris which can lead to fatigue, injury, and death.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Large Whale Disentanglement team boasts 45 professionals, including a new team of 11 people based out of the Hunter Central Coast branch who have recently completed their training, ensuring better state-wide coverage for whale rescue operations this migration season.

Each year, humpback whales undertake one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom, travelling up to 10,000 km from the Southern Ocean to breeding grounds in warmer climates.

In 2023, 13 humpback whales were successfully freed from entanglements off the NSW coastline.

If conditions allow, the NPWS team will launch small inflatable boats, along with a larger support vessel, to approach an entangled animal and assess the entanglement, the animal's condition, speed and behaviour. They then plan a release strategy to cut the animal free, which sometimes involves slowing the animal down by temporarily attaching large buoys.

Disentanglement rescues can sometimes take multiple days of tracking before a successful intervention can be made. The NPWS crew work with partner organisations including Marine Rescue, ORRCA and Sea World to optimise state-wide coverage for whale rescue operations.

The Large Whale Disentanglement team is one component of a broader project to understand and minimise the risk of humpback whale entanglements. The NSW Government is working with the fishing industry to develop whale- and dolphin-friendly equipment less likely to lead to entanglements, while scientific research continues to better understand the drivers of whale migration and entanglement risks.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Marine Wildlife Team Leader Duane March shared  “Our ability to respond to whale entanglements is crucial, given the risk they face from fishing gear and other marine debris. With our expanded team in place, we're better equipped to help these whales if they find themselves in distress in NSW coastal waters.

“While this increased capacity is a positive step, whale disentanglements are inherently dangerous and dependent on weather and sea conditions. The safety of our teams is always the number one priority.

“We can't always guarantee a successful rescue, but we're committed to doing everything in our power to help these animals when we can.

People enjoying our coasts and waters are encouraged to enjoy the spectacle of the humpback whale migration but are reminded to stay at a safe distance and avoid interfering with the animals.

If you see a distressed or entangled whale, contact the NPWS on 13000PARKS (1300 072 757) or ORRCA on 02 9415 3333.

For more information about the best whale watching locations in New South Wales and the Large Whale Disentanglement team, visit the NPWS 'Wild about whales' page. 

Image. Aerial photograph of a calm blue-green ocean showing a small inflatable boat with a buoyed rope leading from the boat to a small humpback whale and encircling them. Credit: NSW Gov