Stricken whale seen earlier in waters off Vancouver Island
By Jim Casey, Peninsula Daily News
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However, experts confirmed that the humpback was the same animal that Canadian spotters had seen near Tofino, British Columbia, in May and off Trial Island near Victoria in June.
John Calambokidis, director of Olympia-based Cascadia Research, said the identification was made through photographs of the whale's distinctive markings.
He said he had no idea where the animal might have gone after eluding watchers Sunday morning.
"There has been no sighting today," Calambokidis said.
He was optimistic, though, over its fate.
"I think the animal is still kicking around. The fact it hasn't been seen doesn't mean it's dead."
Seen off Vancouver Island
The Times Colonist of Victoria reported late in May that a whale-watching guide had seen the whale with a rope and float — and possibly an 84-pound crab trap — wrapped around its dorsal fin.
Observers of the whale near Sekiu on Saturday saw no evidence of a trap, and the lines were wrapped around its left pectoral fin.
That doesn't mean the humpback is out of danger.
The whale will grow, but the nylon lines cannot stretch, and they eventually will cut into its flesh.
Both the Canadian and American whale experts tried to cut the humpback free from the tangle.
In May, the Strawberry Isle Research Society that studies whales on Clayoquot Sound on Vancouver Island's western shore approached the animal in boats.
Rod Palm, principal investigator for the research group, told the Times Colonist the society has special tools to cut fishing gear from whales he has seen drag as many as three traps with buoys.
Whale: 'I am out of here'
But this humpback was not willing to be rescued.
"He took off at normal whale speed," Palm said.
"We couldn't even get close. He just looked at me and said, 'I am out of here.'"
On Saturday, Cascadia and Makah Fisheries had more — but short-lived — success.
They snagged the crab lines with special grappling hooks that would have cut through them without harming the animal.
The lines were tied to buoys that created a sawing action for the hooks. One float was equipped with a radio transmitter that would have allowed crews to track the whale.
However, well-meaning fisherman came upon the whale later and — thinking they were freeing the humpback — cut away the buoys.
Anyone who spots the whale should report the sighting to one of these agencies:
For more information on humpbacks, visit www.acsonline.org/factpack/humpback.htm. For information on Cascadia Research, visit www.cascadiaresearch.org.
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Reporter Jim Casey can be reached at 360-417-3538 or at jim.casey@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: July 07. 2008 9:00PM