NOAA responds to entangled whale calf near Auke Bay

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association responded to an entangled humpback whale calf in the Auke Bay area Wednesday, making strategic cuts in the blue/green poly line trailing from the whale’s mouth in hopes it could free itself.

Spotters reported the 1-year-old calf nicknamed “Lincoln” was entangled over a week ago. Lincoln was again located near Favorite Reef west of Auke Bay where a team of five marine mammal experts were able to make strategic cuts in the gear lodged in the whale’s mouth.

“The entangled animal is this year’s calf of a commonly-seen humpback whale in the Juneau area,” NOAA marine mammal specialist Suzie Teerlink said in a Wednesday news release. The whale is often spotted with her mother, nicknamed “Juneauite.” The pair is frequently spotted together in the Juneau area.

NOAA received unconfirmed reports from a whale watching operation Thursday that Lincoln was spotted still entangled in the gear, said NOAA’s Julie Speegle.

“We are interested in sightings of Juneauite and her calf so we can relocate and reassess the calf to see if there is need for further response,” Teerlink said.

This is at least the second whale entanglement in the Juneau area this summer that has prompted a NOAA response and made headlines. A 40-foot whale became entangled in an anchor line on June 1. NOAA unsuccessfully attempted to free that whale and has since been unable to locate it because its tracking device fell off.

The U.S. Coast Guard assisted in NOAA’s response on Wednesday, Speegle said. The Coast Guard helped by setting up a perimeter and keeping boats at bay as NOAA worked.

Anyone who sees the entangled humpback calf should maintain a distance of 100 yards or more and immediately call the Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 877-925-7773.

• Contact Kevin Gullufsen at kevin.gullufsen@juneauempire.com or call (907) 523-2228.

Related stories:

Leave it to beavers: Live cams at Steep Creek offer glimpse of nature

NOAA’s Whale Sense reaches one-year anniversary

Trail Mix Inc. expands statewide with Forest Service agreement

Previous
Budget director: Expect more state job losses
Next
‘Rolling Wake’: Southeast woman kept husband’s body in truck and drove it around ‘for a couple days’

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Dec. 22

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, Dec. 18, 2024. The Senate passed bipartisan legislation early Saturday that would give full Social Security benefits to a group of public sector retirees who currently receive them at a reduced level, sending the bill to President JOE Biden. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Congress OKs full Social Security benefits for public sector retirees, including 15,000 in Alaska

Biden expected to sign bill that eliminates government pension offset from benefits.

Pauline Plumb and Penny Saddler carry vegetables grown by fellow gardeners during the 29th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy says he plans to reestablish state Department of Agriculture via executive order

Demoted to division status after statehood, governor says revival will improve food production policies.

Alan Steffert, a project engineer for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains alternatives considered when assessing infrastructure improvements including utilities upgrades during a meeting to discuss a proposed fee increase Thursday night at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Hike of more than 60% in water rates, 80% in sewer over next five years proposed by CBJ utilities

Increase needed due to rates not keeping up with inflation, officials say; Assembly will need to OK plan.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and President-elect Donald Trump (left) will be working as chief executives at opposite ends of the U.S. next year, a face constructed of rocks on Sandy Beach is seen among snow in November (center), and KINY’s prize patrol van (right) flashes its colors outside the station this summer. (Photos, from left to right, from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office, Elliot Welch via Juneau Parks and Recreation, and Mark Sabbatini via the Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s 10 strangest news stories of 2024

Governor’s captivating journey to nowhere, woman who won’t leave the beach among those making waves.

Police calls for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Funding for the federal government will lapse at 8:01 p.m. Alaska time on Friday if no deal is reached. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
A federal government shutdown may begin tonight. Here’s what may happen.

TSA will still screen holiday travelers, military will work without paychecks; food stamps may lapse.

The cover image from Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s “Alaska Priorities For Federal Transition” report. (Office of the Governor)
Loch Ness ducks or ‘vampire grebes’? Alaska governor report for Trump comes with AI hallucinations

A ChatGPT-generated image of Alaska included some strange-looking waterfowl.

Bartlett Regional Hospital, along with Juneau’s police and fire departments, are partnering in a new behavioral health crisis response program announced Thursday. (Bartlett Regional Hospital photo)
New local behavioral health crisis program using hospital, fire and police officials debuts

Mobile crisis team of responders forms five months after hospital ends crisis stabilization program.

Most Read