Why Rescuers Couldn’t Save the Juvenile Humpback Whale Stranded Near Yachats

On Nov. 15 a juvenile humpback whale became entangled in fishing gear and washed ashore on a beach north of Yachats, Oregon. Despite a rapid response by the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network, local nonprofits, volunteers and scientists from Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, attempts to return the animal to sea were unsuccessful and the whale was euthanized on Nov. 17.

The stranding and response

Researchers and rescuers arrived quickly — the Marine Mammal Institute is about a 20-minute drive from the site — and found a roughly 28-foot, 1–2 year-old humpback estimated at about 10 tons (approximately 22,000 pounds). Observers saw fishing line wrapped around the whale’s left pectoral fin and passing through its mouth. Responders from nonprofit rescue groups and research teams worked together to collect data, assess the animal’s condition and design a rescue plan.

Partners planned to use a rope-and-pulley rig timed with high tide on the morning of Nov. 17 to pull the whale back into deeper water. That attempt failed when the rope slipped from the animal, making it clear the team could not safely refloat the whale. With limited options — allowing the animal to die onshore or humanely euthanizing it — responders chose euthanasia that evening. A necropsy on Nov. 18 confirmed the whale was male, had injuries consistent with entanglement but was not emaciated. NOAA Fisheries attributed the gear to the 2023–2024 Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery.

Why refloating isn’t a simple solution

Marine mammal experts emphasize several biological and logistical reasons why a beached whale cannot simply be pushed back out to sea. Whales are adapted to life under water; on land their organs bear much more of their body weight, and prolonged time out of the water can cause internal organ compression and other life-threatening stress.

Unlike boats, large whales do not reliably float at the surface when placed in deep water. Towing or dragging a multi-ton animal can exert forces that fracture bones or damage the spine. Securing a stable harness or rope on a writhing, massive animal in surf is extremely difficult, and failed attempts can injure both the whale and rescuers.

There is also a public safety and legal dimension. The Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act restrict proximity to live marine mammals; authorities typically establish a safety perimeter (100 feet) to protect people and animals. A live whale in surf is dangerous — a single tail swipe can seriously injure or kill a person.

Resources and rarity of live strandings

Live strandings on the U.S. West Coast are infrequent — roughly twice a year — which makes it impractical to maintain heavy-lift assets and specialized equipment on standby. Ballance noted that if a large helicopter, several pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment and a coordinated, immediate response had been available within hours of the stranding, removal might have been possible. Such resources are expensive and rarely needed, creating a persistent gap between ideal rescue capability and realistic readiness.

Cultural response, investigation and lessons

After euthanasia, members of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians performed ceremonies and collected portions of the whale for cultural purposes. The Marine Mammal Institute and partner organizations will use the necropsy and collected data to investigate the cause of the stranding and to inform future prevention strategies.

Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the most significant threats to marine mammals worldwide. Scientists treat stranded animals as sentinels that can reveal broader ocean health issues, from gear interactions to disease outbreaks. Careful post-mortem examinations and data sharing help managers and fisheries develop mitigation measures to reduce future incidents.

Perspective

While this outcome is tragic, there are signs of broader progress: protections for whales have contributed to population recoveries in many regions. Continued research, improved fishing practices, and better preparedness can reduce the frequency of entanglements and strandings over time.

Reporting by Hannarose McGuinness. Interviews and technical perspectives provided by Lisa Ballance, director of Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute, and rescue partners involved in the response.