Lobster gear killed whale

Humpback caught in Tassie ropes

THE State Government has confirmed that a humpback whale that died off the coast of New South Wales was killed by ropes originating from Tasmania’s commercial rock lobster fishery.

The 12m, 18-tonne whale is believed to have travelled from Tasmania while trapped in ropes and buoys from the state’s commercial rock lobster fishery.

It was freed by marine rescuers off Port Macquarie on Sunday before dying and washing up on a beach the next day.

It was buried on Monday night.

A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokeswoman confirmed the equipment was from Tasmania’s commercial rock lobster fishery.

“This whale is believed to have picked up the entanglement in late June, early July, in Tasmania during its northern migration,” she said.

“There is nothing to indicate that this entanglement was due to improper use of equipment.”

The spokeswoman added that there had been three other whale entanglements recorded in Tasmania so far this migration season, which began in May.

According to DPIPWE, there have been six whale entanglement reports attributed to the commercial rock lobster industry since 1990.

Of these, three freed themselves but the fate of the remaining three is unknown.

“As part of reducing interactions there are guidelines in place for use of equipment for many recreational and com- mercial fisheries,” the spokeswoman said.

Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fishermen’s Association chief executive John Sansom said whale entanglements in commercial rock lobster gear in Tasmania were extremely rare.

However, Mr Sansom said that in May the association released a new code of practice for reducing the risk of whale entanglements with rock lobster pot lines.

Mitigation measures include: avoiding excessive slack in pot ropes, checking pots regularly for missing gear, avoiding the setting of pots in clusters and the collection of abandoned gear.

It also warns the industry of the increased whale numbers migrating past Tasmania between June and November and to alert local fishers of sightings.

“You don’t want to hurt whales or lose your gear,” Mr Sansom said.