Entangled Humpback whale south of Hilo

Just got a note from a friend of mine, Dr. Jason Turner of the Kalakaua Marine Education Center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. It's an alert for a humpback whale south of Hilo entangled in blue plastic. Helping to get the word out.

DC


Here's the note:

ENTANGLED WHALE ALERT! - We received a report of an Entangled
Humpback Whale, Friday, February 4th, South of Hilo and entangled in blue plastic.

We are asking everyone in the area to get the word out
to ocean users (fishermen, boaters, kayakers, etc.). If you see the
whale - do not try to entangle it yourself but stay with the animal
and radio in your position until help arrives - Hilo has a team of
volunteers with the training and equipment to help. Please call the
Hilo Stranding hotline at (808)756-5961 if you see the whale or have
any information.

It has been established that as many as 30% of the
Humpback whales that come to Hawai'i have been entangled in derelict fishing gear.


Dr. Jason Turner
Director - Kalakaua Marine Education Center
Hilo Marine Mammal Response Network, &
Hawaii Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility
Associate Professor
Department of Marine Science
University of Hawaii at Hilo
200 W. Kawili St.
Hilo, HI 96720
808-933-3114
www.foodweb.uhh.hawaii.edu
www.kmec.uhh.hawaii.edu
www.hmmrn.org
www.dolphinrehab.org