Whale near La Push cut free from fishing gear but badly hurt

LA PUSH — A juvenile gray whale that was found entangled in fishing gear was fighting for survival Thursday, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official said.

Crews on Wednesday cut the injured whale from the lines that had ensnared it, including a main line that was holding the whale’s tail about 15 feet below the surface.

“That’s the good news,” said Michael Milstein, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region spokesman.

“The bad news is that the whale was severely injured by the lines cutting into its tissue, which had become infected and bloated, making it difficult for the whale to dive as normal. So its chances of survival are questionable.”

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the entangled whale more than 15 miles west of La Push on Tuesday.

Crews with Cascadia Research Collective and SR3, a pair of nonprofits that specialize in whales and whale disentanglements, were on scene Tuesday and Wednesday with assistance from the Coast Guard.

“We appreciate the hard work of Cascadia Research Collective, SR3 and the U.S. Coast Guard in doing their best to give the whale the best chance of survival possible,” Milstein said in a email.

“Now it’s largely up to the whale in terms of recovering from the injuries.”

Crews were not on scene Thursday because of poor weather.

A team of veterinarians determined Wednesday that the whale had a good enough chance of survival to warrant an attempt to disentangle it.

“They went back out Wednesday after taking to the vets,” Milstein said in a telephone interview.

“The whale was still in tough shape. They were able to cut the line holding the tail down and were able to remove some of the lines from body, but some of them were so deeply embedded that they could not get them out.”

As the crews left, the whale had begun to move its tail.

“The fact that it was sort of weighted down and motionless for so long obviously put it into difficult shape, but I think the fact that it did start moving again is a hopeful sign,” Milstein said.

“The Coast Guard is going to keep an eye out for it, but we don’t have any further work planned at the moment.”

NOAA Fisheries has reported four whale entanglements off the Washington coast within the last month, a typical number for an entire year, Milstein said.

NOAA officials are working with fishermen to reduce the risk of entanglements, he added.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Increased police presence expected at Port Angeles High School on Friday

An increased police presence is expected at Port Angeles… Continue reading

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Stanley is sworn in by Judge Simon Barnhart on Thursday at the Clallam County Courthouse. Stanley, elected in November to Position 1, takes the role left by Judge Lauren Erickson, who retired. Barnhart and Judge Brent Basden also were elected in November. All three ran unopposed. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Judge sworn in

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Stanley is sworn in by Judge… Continue reading

Clallam trending toward more blue

Most precincts supported Harris in 2024

Landon Smith, 19, is waiting for a heart transplant at Children’s Hospital of Seattle. (Michelle Smith)
Teenager awaits heart transplant in Seattle

Being in the hospital increases his chances, mom says

Port, Lower Elwha approve agreement

Land exchange contains three stormwater ponds for infrastructure

Clallam County lodging tax funds awarded

$1.39 million to be provided to four organizations

Forks DSHS outstation updates service hours

The state Department of Social and Health Services has announced… Continue reading

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven Marina’s 300-ton marine lift as workers use pressure washers to blast years of barnacles and other marine life off the hull. The tug was built for the U.S. Army at Peterson SB in Tacoma in 1944. Originally designated TP-133, it is currently named Island Champion after going through several owners since the army sold it in 1947. It is now owned by Debbie Wright of Everett, who uses it as a liveaboard. The all-wood tug is the last of its kind and could possibly be entered in the 2025 Wooden Boat Festival.(Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Wooden wonder

A 65-foot-long historic tug rests in the Port of Port Townsend Boat… Continue reading

Mark Nichols.
Petition filed in murder case

Clallam asks appeals court to reconsider

A 35-year-old man was taken by Life Flight Network to Harborview Medical Center following a Coast Guard rescue on Monday. (U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles via Facebook)
Injured man rescued from remote Hoh Valley

Location requires precision 180-foot hoist

Kevin Russell, right, with his wife Niamh Prossor, after Russell was inducted into the Building Industry Association of Washington’s Hall of Fame in November.
Building association’s priorities advocate for housing

Port Angeles contractor inducted into BIAW hall of fame

Crew members from the USS Pomfret, including Lt. Jimmy Carter, who would go on to become the 39th president of the United States, visit the Elks Lodge in Port Angeles in October 1949. (Beegee Capos)
Former President Carter once visited Port Angeles

Former mayor recalls memories of Jimmy Carter