Large Whale Disentanglement Program
Levels of Training/Authority

Targeted Individuals: Professional mariners (i.e. fishermen, naturalists, Marine Patrol Officers) Boating experience and/or experience around whales is highly suggested (i.e. professional fishing, field biology, marine law enforcement, whale watching, etc.) Responsibilities Level 1 activities: report, standby, and assess (within experience) Rapidly alert NOAA Fisheries Disentanglement Network of first hand and/or second hand knowledge of local entanglements Depending on experience, stand by an entangled whale until backup arrives, and/or Communicate with crew on the vessel that is directly standing by the entangled whale and offer to replace the stand by vessel until additional backup or the response team arrives (if needed and within experience)

• Completed Level 1 classroom training, or
• Viewed Basic NOAA Fisheries Disentanglement Network Training Video and demonstrated equivalent knowledge and experience (submit resume)

Targeted Individuals: Professional mariners (i.e. fishermen, naturalists, Marine Patrol Officers). There is a higher expectation of commitment and participation from Level 2 responders

Responsibilities

Level 2 activities: report, stand by, and assess at a higher level (within experience):

• Provide a thorough assessment of the nature of the entanglement and the species, condition and behavior of the whale
• Provide local knowledge, transportation, and assistance to Primary First Responders, as needed, on a voluntary basis
• Be on call, as available, to assist in planned disentanglement operations on telemetry-tagged whales

Criteria for certification

Level 1 certification in addition to the following:

• Completed Level 2 on-water training, or
• Viewed Basic NOAA Fisheries Disentanglement Network Training Video and demonstrated equivalent knowledge and experience (submit resume)

Targeted Individuals: Whale researchers and naturalists, fishermen, natural resource agency personnel, Marine Patrol Officers

Responsibilities

Level 3 activities: report, stand by, assess, document and attach a telemetry buoy. Other activities may include:

• Be on call 24 hours and should respond if conditions allow
• Initiate and maintain preparedness with local fishing industry, U.S. Coast Guard, and other resources
• Prepare local disentanglement action plan
• Provide entanglement assessment, documentation and recommendations to Primary Disentanglers during events
• Attach telemetry equipment to entangling gear if needed and authorized
• May be asked (depending on experience) to disentangle a minor entanglement with potential to adversely affect any whale other than North Atlantic right whales under the supervision/authorization of Level 4 or 5 network members. Authorization and supervision may be given over the phone or radio depending on the circumstances and level of experience.

Criteria for certification

Level 1 and 2 certification and experience in the following elements:

• Large whale species identification and behavior, and the ability to safely follow a free-swimming, entangled whale
• Boat handling and safety including basic seamanship, driving, and close approaches to whales
• Line handling and safety including knowledge of knots, handling lines under pressure, and an understanding of how working lines behave
• Follows instructions and response plans

Note: Each candidate will be evaluated for each element and any deficiencies must be supplemented with adequate training and/or experience. Additionally, all Level 3 responders must have:

• Basic Level 3 training, or
• Advanced Level 3 training

Responsibilities

Level 4 activities:

• Report, stand by, assess, document, attach a telemetry buoy, consult on an action plan and disentangle all large whales except North Atlantic right whales
• Report, stand by, assess, document and attach a telemetry buoy to North Atlantic right whales
• On a case-by-case basis and after consultation (see commitment to consult under Level 5 below), certain cuts on known entangled North Atlantic right whales may be permitted at level 4 if the proposed action is first approved by NOAA Fisheries Service and/or level 5 disentanglers

Please Note: Entangled whale behavior varies considerably by species. However, Level 4 Disentanglers should routinely be able to attempt disentanglement of all large whales other than North Atlantic right whales.

Criteria for certification

Basic or Advanced Level 3 Certification and:

• Direct experience in a supervised (by other Network Level 4 responders/Network coordinators or NOAA Fisheries Service) large whale disentanglement, documentation of that experience, and a positive evaluation from NOAA Fisheries Service using information provided by other Network Level 4 responders/Network Coordinators and any hard documentation (i.e. video)
• When possible, commitment to consultation as detailed in Level 5 below

Targeted Individuals: Level 4 Responders Responsibilities Level 5 activities: report, stand by, assess, document, attach a telemetry buoy, consult on an action plan and disentangle all large whales including North Atlantic right whales. Please Note: North Atlantic right whales are extremely powerful and therefore generally the most difficult whales to disentangle. North Atlantic right whales are among the most critically endangered large whales in the world. Certification at this level is highly selective and specialized.

Criteria for certification

Level 4 certification and:

• Experience w/ right whale behavior and/or includes a person on the team directly involved in the whale disentanglement (in the boat with the whale) that is experienced in right whale behavior
• Documented participation in a right whale disentanglement and/or NOAA Fisheries Service review of video of participation in a right whale disentanglement that followed NOAA Fisheries Service protocol
• Commitment to Consultation to include:
  • Immediate Consultation: when possible, use satellite/cell phones to bring in additional ideas/experience from other level 5s and level 4s (and vets and behaviorists if appropriate) while on scene with an entangled right whale
  • Action Plan Development: For a tagged right whale, consultation is required with NOAA Fisheries Service, other Network level 5s and 4s, vets, behaviorists, etc.

Rationale for consultation: First assessments and strategies almost invariably change with more discussion or information. Consultations will likely help to increase human safety and critical choices regarding risks to whale health must be made with the best available information.