In a real-life marine mammal rescue mission off the coast of Nanaimo, Fisheries Department officers put their training to the test. A humpback whale, later identified as Astroboy, was discovered entangled in fishing gear by a whale watching company in the Strait of Georgia.
The skilled rescue team successfully attached a satellite tag to the gear, allowing them to free the majestic whale by removing approximately 140 meters of poly-steel rope. Astroboy, a Hawaiian humpback known for migrating to the waters of British Columbia, was safely released back into the ocean.
The Fisheries Department emphasizes the urgent need to address marine debris as a significant threat to sea life. They urge the public to play a role in preventing entanglements by properly disposing of packing materials, bands, ropes, and other looped items, keeping them out of the marine environment.