COURTESY JASON MOORE/NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is asking Maui’s on-water community to be on the lookout for Palette so that trained teams can help her.
Somewhere out in the deep blue waters off of Maui, a female humpback whale is in need of help.
Wildlife officials said the 40-foot-long whale – referred to as Palette — was last seen Thursday off Lahaina by the monitoring team of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
She appears to have been recently entangled in fishing line, with multiple deep wounds, the team confirmed. She was also emaciated, with red-colored whale lice spread across her body.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is asking Maui’s on-water community to be on the lookout for Palette so that trained teams can help her.
“Mariners are urged to keep a sharp lookout for this animal, but not approach closely or attempt to directly engage,” said NOAA in a news release. “She may be moving slowly due to impacts from her recent entanglement.”
At the same time, mariners are urged to reduce speed in and around West Maui to minimize the possibility of striking Palette or other whales.
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Humpback whale season in Hawaii typically runs from November through May, with the peak between January and March. During whale season, boaters are asked to maintain a speed of 15 knots or less, especially in water depths of 600 feet are less, to minimize the risk of striking a whale.
While the team was able to make surgical cuts to remove potentially life-threatening wraps form Palete, it was unclear whether gear was still present. If she is found to still be entangled, the team may try to help her again. NOAA reminds the public that only trained responders are authorized to disentangle humpback whales.
Under federal law, approaching humpback whales in sanctuary waters is prohibited by any means, including by anyone in the water, kayak, standup paddleboard or drones, within 100 yards in or on the water, and within 1,000 feet from an aircraft.
If spotted, officials ask mariners to call NOAA’s hotline at 888-256-9840 to report her location, with photos and videos, if possible, without breaking the 100-yard rule. Mariners can also radio the U.S. Coast Guard at VHF Channel 16.