Whale, dolphin rescued in tale of two success stories

In Glencairn, a whale got caught in a fishing rope

A WHALE and a dolphin were rescued in two separate incidents thanks to the heroic efforts of the SA Whale Disentanglement Network (SAWDN), Bay World, the SA Stranding Network (SASN) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

A 2.5m dolphin was found stranded at Jeffreys Bay yesterday and taken back to sea.

In Glencairn on Monday, a whale got caught close to the shore in a fishing rope.

SAWDN volunteers reacted to witness reports of a whale entangled in fishing rope and floatation buoys, approximately 400m offshore of Glencairn.

NSRI Simonstown sea rescue crafts, accompanied by SAWDN volunteers, found the 7.5m juvenile humpback whale entangled in ropes and a chain anchoring it to the sea floor. The disentanglement equipment was used to cut through at least nine ropes before the whale was freed.

SAWDN head Mike Meyer said the whale appeared healthy, despite a few nicks and abrasions.

“All indications are that the animal has survived and we are satisfied that the operation has been successful,” said Meyer.

To save the dolphin, the NSRI was contacted by the SASN to assist with the rescue operation. Jeffreys Bay station commander Rieghard Janse van Rensburg said: “NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew were activated and the sea rescue craft Project Group Rescuer was launched at the Paradise Beach Slipway, where members of the Paradise Beach Neighbourhood Watch, supported by many members of the local Paradise Beach community, were taking care of the dolphin under the guidance of Malcolm Logan, of the SA Stranding Network.”

The dolphin was secured into a carrying canvass and moved 100m down the beach by local residents and members of the SASN, where NSRI sea rescue craft loaded the dolphin onto the sea rescue craft. It was released out to sea before it swam away.

Bridget Corrigan, from the Endangered Wildlife Trust, said dolphins often get caught in shark nets along Richards Bay shores. Corrigan heads the Source to Sea Programme, which is focused on the conservation of marine life.

“Otters are also caught in gill nets used for fishing and sometimes turtles. The humpback dolphins usually get caught in shark nets,” said Corrigan.

Unscrupulous fishery operators dumping their netting equipment offshore are also the cause of many sea creatures being caught and killed.