Marine Mammal Response Program: SARA Incidents for Q1, Q2, and Q3 in 2014

There were a total of 660 incidents and 463 responses in 2014, of those incidents and responses, 241 were incidents involving SARA species. Out of the 241 incidents involving SARA species, 204 of those incidents were responded to.

The types of incidents included: entanglements, close approaches, harassment, collisions, live strandings, injured / sick, sightings / free swimming, dead (beached and floating), distress, shooting, and animals interacting with the public.

The types of responses included: freeing entangled whales, collecting samples and performing necropsies on dead animals, reunited stranded animals with their pods, responding to harassment calls, refloating live beached animals, and monitoring close approaches by vessels to marine mammals.

Of all the incidents there are of few worthy of note:

• A total of 48 Killer Whales were harassed by vessels in 3 different locations in which Fishery Officers were notified in Pacific Region;
• A Leatherback Turtle was successfully disentangled from 3 lobster traps without sustaining any injuries in Gulf Region;
• A North Atlantic Right Whale was found entangled in fishing gear in the Bay of Fundy. The whale was exhausted and very evasive and had scarring. There were attempts to relocate the whale but none were successful.
• There were 2 Killer Whales found dead due to birthing complications (J32), both the adult female and calf were necropsied;
• A female Leatherback Turtle was found dead, necropsy was performed and a plastic bag was found in the stomach and intestinal track.

By Region

Pacific:

There were a total of 160 incidents involving SARA species and 146 responses performed. Incidents included: 62 dead, 32 entanglements, 23 close approaches, 13 harassments, 9 injured, 4 sightings, 3 distress calls, 3 shootings, 3 sick, 3 live strandings, 3 interactions with public, and 1 collision. The species involved in these incidents were: Steller Sea Lion, Sea Otter, Harbour Porpoise, Killer Whale, Grey Whale, and Humpback Whale.

Responses to these incidents included: disentangling entangled whales, monitoring close approaches to whales, collecting samples and performing necropsies on dead animals, refloating live beached animals, and educating public on not to interact with animals who voluntarily approach.

Central and Arctic:

There were a total of 3 incidents involving SARA species and 3 responses performed. Incidents included: 2 sightings and 1 dead. The species that was involved was the Bowhead Whale.

Responses to these incidents included: encouraging local hunters and the public to forward and updates on sightings to DFO.

Quebec:

There were a total of 30 incidents involving SARA species and 17 responses performed. Incidents included: 16 dead, 9 sightings, 2 sick, 2 live strandings, and 1 harassment call. The species involved in these incidents were: Beluga Whale, Right Whale, Blue Whale, and Leatherback Turtle.

Responses to these incidents included: documenting the situations, collecting carcasses found, and performing necropsies and collecting samples.

Gulf:

There were a total of 13 incidents that involved SARA species and 8 responses performed. Incidents included: 8 dead, 3 entanglements, 1 sighting, and 1 injured. The species involved in these incidents were: Harbour Porpoise, Leatherback Turtle, and Blue Whale.

Responses to these incidents included: performing necropsies and collecting samples, and disentanglements of entangled animals.

Maritimes:

There were a total of 4 incidents involving SARA species and 4 responses performed. Incidents included: 4 entanglements. The species that was involved was the North Atlantic Right Whale.

Responses to these incidents included: attempts to untangle whales from fishing gear.

Newfoundland & Labrador:

There were a total of 33 incidents involving SARA species and 29 responses performed. Incidents included: 15 harassment calls, 12 sightings, 5 dead, and 1 entanglement. The species involved in these incidents were: Leatherback Turtle, Blue Whale, Walrus, Bowhead Whale, Right Whale, and Beluga Whale.

Responses to these incidents included: documenting sightings, attempts to disentangle entangled whales, and performing necropsies.