A Silent Plea: Encounter with an Entangled Whale
The day started like any other in Baja: A little chilly in the early morning. We set off on an ocean safari with Latitude Encounters, searching for marine wildlife willing to interact with us.
The previous day had been nothing short of exhilarating— we witnessed orcas hunting whales and even swam alongside them, capturing incredible photographs.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we never expected another remarkable encounter to follow.
Winter In Baja California Sur
Winter in Baja brings the whales as they arrive to give birth to their young, with early February being the peak birthing season.
The most common species are gray whales and humpback whales, which migrate to the warm, protected waters of the Pacific to nurse their calves.
A Distress Call From The Ocean: The Entangled Whale
On this particular day, we were out on the water when we heard from local fishermen about a humpback whale entangled in fishing nets nearby.
Our guide, Nina, who is part of the local whale rescue team, suggested we search for the distressed whale. We spent the morning scanning the sea, but there was no sign of it.
Later in the afternoon, as we floated under the sun’s warmth, a sudden noise broke the calm. A whale surfaced for air, just a few meters from our boat, and began drifting toward us.
As it came closer, the heart-wrenching truth became clear— this was the whale the fishermen had mentioned. Its body was ensnared in fishing nets, constricting its movement, with a second chunk of net hanging heavily from its tail.
The bright purple net stood out against the deep blue water, highlighting the devastating impact of ghost nets.
Documenting The Tragedy
The whale drifted so close to our boat that it almost seemed to be pleading for help.
Its exhausted eyes followed our movements as it floated helplessly, unable to swim freely.
It was incredibly hard to follow the local regulations (in Mexico, it is illegal to enter the water with whales). But I couldn’t stand by without capturing this tragic moment. I grabbed my camera and dipped it beneath the surface, documenting the whale’s struggle.
The haunting image serves as a stark reminder of humanity’s impact on marine ecosystems and the urgent need for sustainable fishing practices and ocean conservation.
As I looked through my viewfinder to review the photos, I felt a surge of guilt and helplessness.
Here was this magnificent creature, a giant of the ocean, reduced to a prisoner by our discarded waste. The net was wrapped around its whole body, and the heavy mass trailing from its tail was weighing it down. It was barely able to lift its head to breathe.
I wondered how long it had been suffering and whether it would survive the night.
Our Only Option
The best we could do was report the sighting to the local whale rescue team, RABEN, and track the whale until they arrived.
We followed the whale for hours, keeping a watchful eye while waiting for help. Occasionally, the whale would surface for air, its labored breaths echoing across the water. It was a constant reminder of the urgency of the situation.
When the rescue team finally reached us, our guide joined them on their boat. We wished them luck as they began the delicate operation, and we headed back to shore, hoping for the best.
About RABEN
RABEN (Red de Asistencia a Ballenas Enmalladas) is a volunteer network dedicated to rescuing whales entangled in fishing gear along the Mexican Pacific Coast and Baja California Peninsula.
Formed by Ecología y Conservación de Ballenas, AC (ECOBAC) with support from Mexico’s Park System (CONANP), RABEN operates through 16 trained teams equipped with specialized gear.
Their members are volunteers, including local fishermen, wildlife rangers, researchers, and tour operators. Despite their dedication, RABEN faces significant challenges due to limited funding and resources.
The organization relies heavily on donations and volunteer efforts to carry out its vital work. They follow the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) protocols to ensure safety and minimal impact on the whales.
RABEN’s work is not only physically demanding but also emotionally challenging. Rescuers often face heartbreaking situations, witnessing the suffering of whales entangled in ghost nets. They must act swiftly and strategically, cutting through thick ropes and nets while minimizing stress on the whale.
Every rescue mission is a race against time. The tangled gear can cut into the whale’s flesh, causing infections and impairing its ability to swim, feed, or breathe properly. Without intervention, many whales face a slow and painful death.
This incredible organization is often the last hope for whales trapped by ghost nets, tirelessly working to save these giants with compassion and dedication. Yet, their work is made more difficult by the sheer scale of the problem. Ghost nets are estimated to make up about 10% of all marine litter, drifting across oceans and ensnaring countless marine creatures.
Despite these challenges, RABEN remains committed to its mission. Each successful rescue is a victory for marine conservation. If you’d like to support or learn more about RABEN, visit their website: RABEN Mexico.
A Rescue Attempt That Ended In Heartbreak
Later that evening, we received news from the rescue team. Despite their efforts, the whale grew stressed as they attached buoys to the fishing net. Panicked, it dived into the depths and disappeared into the abyss. The team continued searching until nightfall but couldn’t find the whale again. It was devastating to hear that the rescue attempt had failed. The image of the whale, weighed down by human waste, haunted me long after the encounter.
A Call to Action
This experience left me shaken. The image of the entangled whale, drifting helplessly, will stay with me forever. It made me reflect on our responsibility as humans to protect the oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.
Ghost nets are a growing threat to marine life, and their impact is devastating. But change is possible if we all take action—by reducing plastic use, supporting sustainable fishing practices, and backing organizations like RABEN.
I hope this story and the photographs serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of human actions on marine life.
It’s a call to action, urging us to rethink our relationship with the ocean and protect the giants who silently share our world. If we don’t act now, we risk losing these magnificent creatures forever.
