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Entanglement Response Procedures for Large Whales in Atlantic Canada

Lead: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Resource Management, Regional Marine Mammal Response Program Coordinator [referred to as the “Coordinator” hereafter]

In each region, the Coordinator and corresponding marine mammal networks will maintain ongoing communication once a live entangled large whale is reported. Footnote 1

In most situations, the regional marine mammal networks will be the first to be made aware of the entanglement and will advise their regional DFO Coordinator. In the event that DFO is made aware of an entangled large whale, the Coordinator should inform the applicable marine mammal network as soon as possible, as they may receive other reports for the same animal.

  1. Person taking information should ask for the following information;

    1. date and time sighted
    2. Pictures of whale
    3. Confirm species of whale
    4. Apparent state/condition of whale (bobbing, anchored, agitated, listless, direction and speed swimming, etc.)
    5. Confirm location of whale (lat/long)
    6. Pertinent details on location that may be relevant for responders (gear in the area, close to shore, etc.)
    7. Obtain as many other details as possible (distinguishing markings, contact information of individual reporting the whale, information on gear attached, injuries noted, etc.).
  2. Information needs to be communicated to the Coordinator in the appropriate DFO Region ASAP.

  3. Coordinator to confirm information gathered.

    If required, DFO Coordinator is to communicate with science and/or external partners to confirm species or other information.

  4. Coordinator to inform the Conservation and Protection (C&P) regional contact of the incident and ask that they standby for further discussions.

    1. C&P will determine what resources, if any, are available.
  5. Coordinator to inform DFO Resource Management and DFO Communications of the incident so they are aware.

  6. Coordinator to discuss with an authorized Expert Entanglement Responders (as per the Protocol for Liaison with DFO):

    1. Determine the disentanglement crew’s availability
    2. Discuss time of day/weather condition
    3. Determine if C&P support is required and in what form.
    4. Discuss any safety with the disentanglement crew lead.
  7. Coordinator to contact C&P regional contact to determine availability of staff and equipment (support vessel, disentanglement platform and tools)

    1. If satellite tags will be required, contact C&P officer responsible for the tags to ensure satellite tags are activated and tested in the event they are required.
    2. When deploying satellite tags, C&P to ensure the knots will hold and the magnet is removed from the tag to activate.
    3. C&P to ensure proper equipment (vessel, support vessel, disentanglement kits, protective equipment, etc.) and trained personnel are deployed if required.
  8. Coordinator, C&P and authorized Expert Entanglement Responders (as per the Protocol for Liaison with DFO):

    1. Provide expert with the above gathered information and the contact information for the individual reporting the entangled whale.
    2. The “Protocol for Liaison with DFO” will then be followed.
    3. Discuss any safety issues.

    If a decision is made by the Coordinator and the disentanglement expert to not move forward with a disentanglement response:

    1. Inform all parties above of the decision and the rational.

    If a decision is made by the Coordinator and the disentanglement expert to move forward with a disentanglement response:

  9. Coordinator to inform Resource Management that a response is moving forward.

  10. Coordinator to notify National DFO Whale Alert network.

    Note:

    Subsequent updates to National Whale Alert network at the discretion of Coordinator.

  11. Coordinator and authorized Expert Entanglement Responders to discuss and confirm next steps.

    1. If C&P support is required and available, discuss the logistics with them.
    2. Discuss any safety concerns with the disentanglement crew lead and C&P if involved.
  12. If the incident involves a SARA species, then:

    1. Coordinator to inform Regional Species at Risk Program.
    2. National Fisheries Resource Management to inform the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as part of regular bilateral engagement.
  13. Support vessel crew or disentanglement crew to keep the Coordinator informed of the progress of the disentanglement response efforts periodically as the efforts progress.

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