Our research projects allows to better understand the humpback whale population and the results of these projects are a very important tool to generate proposals for the conservation and protection of humpback whales and their environment. One of the most important conservation projects right now is the Banderas Bay Humpback Whale Disentanglement Network.

BANDERAS BAY HUMPBACK WHALE DISENTAGLEMENT NETWORK

In the past few years, the number of reports of entangled whales in Banderas Bay has been increasing. Because of these, efforts have been done in the area in order to disentangle the whales. Finally in the 2005-2006 whale watching season, the Banderas Bay Humpback Whale Disentanglement Network was constituted. The Network team is formed by the Puerto Vallarta Navy, the Banderas Bay Technological Institute and whale watching tour operators. This Network is the first organized rescue group in Mexico and one of the first ones in the North Pacific. The Network members are trained and they are capable of acting in an efficient and secure manner.

The interaction between fishing gear and whales represents a serious threat for the animals as well as for the fishermen. The rescue of entangled whales is not the solution for the entanglement problem, is merely a little help for the whales. What is really needed is to design fishing gear that won't be a threat to whales, dolphins, turtles and other sea animals. It's also important to find a design good enough for fishermen not to lose their fishing gear. When a fisherman loses his gear he is not only losing money, he might be losing his fishing season. So far we can't avoid entanglements, but we can be proud that there is a well trained team, ready to attend entanglements in Banderas Bay.

If you see an entangled whale in Banderas Bay please report it by radio to Puerto Vallarta Navy or to the Port Master.