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Entangled Humbpback Whale (Photo NOAA) |
True Blue Friend is the story of a young humpback whale whose curiosity lands him inside
a fishing net. Whales fascinate children--their huge size, their strength, their grace in the water.
Why write about entangled whales for young children? Children may know that whales
are endangered, but they may not realize how much people affect the future of whales. NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) estimates that about 300,000 whales, dolphins,
and porpoises die each year from entanglement in fishing gear. I hope that through my
book and CD, children can develop not only an appreciation for these amazing creatures but also
an awareness of the dangers facing them. And awareness of a problem is the first step needed to
solve it.
Our story has a happy ending because the fishermen release the young whale. In fact, whale
researchers and fishermen are working together to find ways to prevent entanglements. One way
is to use a device called a "pinger," which sends out a warning sound that keeps whales away
from nets. Commercial nets with releases for dolphins and whales are also becoming more available.
A greater danger for whales, though, is the huge number of abandoned nets, called ghostnets,
and fishing gear littering oceans worldwide. I chose a humpback for my story because they are
playful and curious. According to researchers at the Hawaiian Marine Mammal Sanctuary, one
reason humpbacks get entangled is because they like to play with things they find in the water.
Man-made materials used to make nets today means that these nets can last for years in the
ocean. They can entangle not only whales but also other marine animals and damage fragile
coral reefs.
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| Rescuers free an entangled whale. (Photo NOAA) |
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Once a whale becomes entangled, it?s both difficult and dangerous to free it. Only specially
trained, authorized teams are allowed to attempt a rescue. Recently, a young humpback whale
was found entangled off the coast of Monterey. The humpback was caught in ropes with four
large buoys attached. The gear weighed nearly 1000 pounds, and the young whale was in danger
of being dragged under and drowned. Divers had to go underwater in order to cut the ropes, but
finally succeeded in freeing the whale. A rescue isn't always successful. Modern fishing line is
extremely strong and can cut into a whale's body. An injured whale may be too frightened or in
too much pain to let anyone near it. And sometimes, the gear is impossible to remove.
I feel that the most important message children can take from my book is to realize that
things we do can hurt the environment and the animals around us, even creatures as big as
whales. While children cannot affect the use of fishing gear, they can make a connection to their
own actions at home and in the community. It's realizing that one small plastic bag from your
lunch, tossed carelessly on the shore, could eventually mean the life of one beautiful sea turtle
who mistakes it for a jellyfish. Learning to recognize the consequences of our actions can help
young children grow up to be responsible, caring adults.
Read about a recent humpback rescue in Hawaii:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2006/s2581.htm
Learn about the dangers of ghostnets.
http://www.etl.noaa.gov/programs/marine/ghostnet/
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