The ban on whale entanglement rescues prompted by the death of Canadian lobsterman Joe Howlett was lifted Tuesday morning with the exception of one species- right whales.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration implemented the ban one week ago, after Howlett was killed by a right whale, in order to review the protocols responders must follow while disentangling whales.
Scott Landry, the director of the marine animal entanglement response program at the Center for Costal Studies in Provincetown, said these guidelines are in place to keep responders safe while they perform disentanglements.
“We have a set of protocols that we’ve been using for disentaglement for years now,” he said. “Generally speaking they’re safety first, disentangling whales second.”
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The Canadian government is investigating the circumstances that lead to Howlett’s death more closely, Landry said, which is why the ban will remain in effect indefinitely with regard to right whales.
Right whales, which can weigh about 50 tons, according to Landry, are more difficult and dangerous to disentangle than other species of whales.
“We don’t know the reason behind it, but what we do observe is that right whales are immensely strong, have high levels of stamina, and have a high tolerance for pain,” Landry said.
The combination of strength and pain tolerance spells trouble for responders.
When other species of whales become entangled in nets or rope, they generally stop struggling when they feel pain, allowing responders to free them without putting up a fight, Landry said. When right whales are in pain and see humans trying to help, they have the strength and tolerance to continue fighting for their freedom.
Charles “Stormy” Mayo, the director of right whale habitat studies at the Center for Coastal Studies, said he’s worked with many right whales and described them as “unusually powerful” and “unwilling to give up.”
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While the ban was in place, the Center for Costal Studies continued to receive calls reporting entangled whales, Landry said.
Although they could not disentangle the whales, they responded by documenting the incidents with photographs, videos, and “visual assessments” of the whales to be used the next time one of them is spotted.
“If and when it is seen again, we know exactly what to do for that whale and can act quickly,” Landry said.
Landry advised mariners who spot entangled whales to report them to the Coast Guard or the Center for Costal Studies immediately, and to stay with the whale until help arrives.
Entangled whales can still swim great distances, so unless mariners trail the animal at a safe distance, about 300 yard, responders have a hard time tracking its coordinates.
To report marine animal entanglements to the Center for Costal Studies, call 800-900-3622.
Alyssa Meyers can be reached at alyssa.meyers@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @ameyers_.