Training improves response to whale strandings and entanglement

Two workshops held to foster marine conservation

NAMIBIA: Two training workshops were held last month to foster marine conservation by equipping participants to respond to and effectively manage the strandings and entanglement of cetaceans.

Funded by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) and assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, the workshops were held in Swakopmund/Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Each lasted three days and involved a total of some 70 participants that included government officials, veterinarians as well as representatives of the aquaculture industry and conservation organisations.

During the practical training sessions, participants were exposed to the nature of the threats facing whales when they encountered about 500m of fishing lines from an abandoned oyster farm floating in the bay.

Each workshop began with a day focused on theoretical and practical aspects of cetacean strandings, followed by a two-day session on large whale disentanglement. Both topics prioritised safety for both whales and participants.

Human safety is a very important concern. Handling any large, wild animal can be dangerous. Stranded whales may carry infectious disease and, even when seemingly incapacitated, can be unpredictable, particularly when agitated and in pain.

Attempting to disentangle an animal at sea clearly adds additional complexities and risks. Careful implementation of safety protocols is essential to minimise risks and conduct the most effective response possible, whatever the scenario.

Participants engaged in hands-on activities, employing specialised tools and techniques. This practical work also fostered a sense of camaraderie and collective effort which is crucial, as the challenges of marine conservation require coordinated, multi-disciplinary responses and shared expertise.

Learning about the immediate techniques for disentanglement, they also discussed long-term strategies for preventing such incidents, including better regulation of aquaculture farms and the importance of marine debris management.

The NNF will continue to oversee and expand the Namibian Whale Disentanglement Network (NWDN). Namibia, along with nations like South Africa, Kenya, Mayotte, and Reunion, will now actively participate in the IWC Global Whale Entanglement Response Network, a programme that has trained over 1700 individuals from more than 43 countries.