By Flordespina Dodds

Yesterday, a critical rescue took place in Steingrímsfjörður, where a young humpback whale known as Bird was successfully disentangled from fishing gear. This operation, coordinated by MAST (Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority), local fishers, rescue teams, and Whale Wise, underscores the importance of collaboration in protecting marine life.

Bird is named for a distinctive mark on its fluke, which resembles a bird in flight. This young whale has been a familiar presence in Steingrímsfjörður since early August, and Whale Wise has been seeing it throughout the month. In late August, we captured aerial images of Bird for the “Scars from Above” project, documenting scars that reflect past entanglements. These images are crucial in our research to understand how entanglement impacts whale health over time, making Bird an important part of our ongoing work.

On September 11^th, we received a report from Judith Scott, a whale-watching guide from Láki Tours, who spotted Birdstruggling in fishing gear during a tour. Shortly after, fisherman Baldur Steinn Haraldsson shared a video confirming that Bird was still alive and entangled. Both Judith and Baldur played key roles in alerting us to Bird‘s condition, enabling a swift response.

Upon receiving the reports, we drove back to Steingrímsfjörður from Ísafjörður where we had been collecting aerial images of the whales. Using a drone equipped with a 7x zoom camera, we carefully monitored Bird from above and confirmed that the whale was still entangled. The drone footage revealed a line wrapped around Bird‘s tail stock and scars along its body, showing the fishing line may have shifted along its body. Our actions were guided by advice from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Large Whale Disentanglement Team, who helped us assess the extent of the entanglement.

In an amazing display of teamwork, three fishing boats and an ICE-SAR rescue boat arrived on the scene. Informed by our earlier drone footage (showing the position of the entanglement), these trained professionals worked slowly and carefully to disentangle Bird without causing further stress or harm. After precise manoeuvring, the whale was finally free, lifting its tail and swimming back into the fjord.

This was a moment of relief and reflection for our team. At Whale Wise, we focus on studying scars from past entanglements to understand the long-term effects on whale health. Watching Bird—a whale we had been observing since early-August—struggle in real time was a heart-wrenching reminder of the dangers these animals face. Without intervention, Bird may not have survived.

We are incredibly thankful for the collaboration of everyone involved. This rescue was made possible through the combined efforts of Judith, Baldur, local fishermen, and the ICE-SAR team. 

Whale Wise, is dedicated to whale conservation in Iceland, and continues to study the threats of entanglement through our “Scars from Above” project. In collaboration with Dr. Charla Basran from the University of Iceland, we are using drones to monitor and understand these threats in humpback whales.

What to Do If You See an Entangled Whale

If you spot an entangled whale in Iceland, it is crucial to keep a safe distance and avoid interfering. Instead, contact MAST or ICE-SAR and report the sighting. You can also contact BDMLR, who are trained and equipped to handle these delicate situations.

Thank you to all who contributed to Bird‘s successful rescue and to those working every day to protect our oceans and marine life.

Stay tuned for more updates on our work and follow our journey as we continue to protect the magnificent humpback whales of Iceland.