Humpback Whale Without Tail Sparks Concern

In Washington state’s inland waters, a humpback whale has been spotted without its tail flukes, a serious injury likely caused by entanglement in fishing gear or lines. The whale, seen in late July, has lost the crucial flukes it uses for swimming, raising fears about its survival.

Jessica Farrer, research director at The Whale Museum on San Juan Island, described the sight as heartbreaking. She noted that seeing a whale without its flukes is akin to seeing a human without their legs. Experts believe entanglement is the cause, though the specific gear involved remains unknown.

Humpback whales often face threats from entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, and Climate change affecting their food supply. Last year, NOAA Fisheries confirmed 16 humpback entanglements off the West Coast, a number that can vary. Some whales are freed in time, but survival without flukes is unlikely.

Efforts are ongoing to reduce such entanglements, including changes in commercial fishing practices. While the West Coast humpback population is generally doing well, the situation for other species, like the North Atlantic right whale, remains dire.

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