Investigation of Young Whale Incident on Oregon Coast Already Makes New Finds

Published 11/19/25 at 6:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is assisting in the investigation of a juvenile humpback whale that became entangled and stranded earlier this week near Yachats. The investigation includes the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Fisheries department (known as NOAA Fisheries). (Photo of the Yachats whale courtesy Washington Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network)

The whale was caught in gear identified by NOAA Fisheries as belonging to the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery. After efforts to free the animal from the surf were unsuccessful, veterinarians with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network euthanized it on Nov. 17.

“NOAA Fisheries attributed the gear to the 2023–2024 Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery,” the agency said.

Initial reports from those on the scene indicated it was not a commercial device, as the story was breaking over the weekend.

Justin Ainsworth, Marine Resources Program Manager for ODFW, said the exact cause of the stranding remains under review.

“Whale entanglement has been at the forefront for us over the past few years. The stranding of this young whale over the weekend underscores the importance of the work we have been doing in partnership with Oregon’s crab fleet to reduce the risk of entanglement,” Ainsworth said.

Preliminary information from scientists on the scene indicates the whale was likely in a weakened and ill state before it encountered the gear.

A necropsy team examined the whale on site Tuesday to assess its condition and gather insight into the circumstances surrounding the incident. While NOAA Fisheries leads entanglement response efforts, ODFW supports investigations by interviewing gear owners and supplying relevant fishery data when Oregon gear is involved.

Photo Leigh Torres / OSU

The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission has funded research at Oregon State University to study whale distribution and its interaction with crab fishing areas. Marine biologists report that humpback whale populations along the West Coast are increasing by approximately eight percent annually, resulting in more frequent contact with crab gear.

To mitigate entanglement risks, ODFW has implemented several regulatory changes in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery, including a 20 percent reduction in pot limits and a seasonal restriction on crabbing beyond 40 fathoms starting May 1. Additional programs target the retrieval of lost crab pots to further reduce hazards.

In 2026, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will receive updates on crab fishery management, including a five-year review of entanglement prevention efforts, the status of the Conservation Plan and Take Reduction Team, and potential changes to season opening protocols. The Commission will also consider new regulations such as electronic vessel monitoring, criteria for experimental gear permits, and revised season start criteria.

This week, ODFW is collaborating with commercial crabbers and fishery managers in California and Washington to finalize plans for the upcoming Dungeness crab season, with an announcement expected Friday.

On the scene were Pacific Marine Mammal Center, SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, & Research, Cascadia Research Collective, Oregon State Parks, Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Department, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon State Police and Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute. Experts came in from California, Oregon and Washington.

One of the many rumors still floating on social is that no experts were there, when in fact there were many.

Efforts to free the whale proved unworkable, even when professional teams arrived and took over.

“They employed an innovative method using block and tackle in an urgent effort to free the whale, but were ultimately unable to return the animal to the water,” NOAA said.

The public outcry on social media was and still is tremendous, but largely fueled only by emotion and a lack of understanding of the matter – or actual physics. Personal attacks on the scientists and experts involved are still numerous.

One of the big misconceptions is how returning a stranded whale to the ocean works in the real world. This almost never works: it's rare when it does.

NOAA Fisheries explained some of the many reasons why:

“A whale’s body is adapted to the buoyancy of water. Its own body weight causes immense pressure once it is stranded, which can lead to respiratory and circulatory collapse,” the agency said. “Refloating stranded large whales is challenging, and there are limited options. Simply pulling a large whale back into the ocean is considered inhumane - it can dislocate the tail, cause paralysis, or even break the spinal cord. The rope and pulley system the Network members attempted is still difficult and not always successful. Another option, dredging a channel for a whale, has historically resulted in the whale drowning.”

Social media was filled with such suggestions – especially digging a trench. These suggestions by armchair engineers would've resulted in a more gruesome kind of death for the whale.

Hotels in Yachats - Where to eat - Yachats Maps and Virtual Tours

 

Sweeping Designs, Sights of N. Oregon Coast's Arch Cape, Away At Last Rental
A mere 200 steps from the beach, near Cannon Beach. hotel reviews, lodging

An Oregon Coast Stay Full of Ocean Expanse, Cannon Beach Bunnies, Maybe Elk
Cannon Beach's Wayside Inn hosts balconies or patios to the watery world. Cannon Beach hotel reviews

See Reviews of Ocean Inn Manzanita
8 Jun 2026 at 12:09am
Visitors often rate this charming at the top because of its ocean views, quiet surroundings (with only beach sounds) and the way it partners with eco-friendly causes.

Nye Beach Cottage - Vacation Rental in Newport Oregon Coast
An historic charmer with a serious time-travel vibe, like the Oregon coast of old. Right above the ocean with incredible views, and its own beach access. Newport hotel reviews

 

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

Some Oregon Coast Vacation Rental Hotspots Getting Rarer - Availability in Lincoln City, Depoe Bay
7 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm
Summer is filling up faster in some areas: what's left. Keystone reviews, Depoe Bay hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews

Full, Dramatic Story Released on Rescue of 4-Year-Old on Oregon Coast
11 Jul 2026 at 7:05pm
Two park rangers found the girl three miles away at Cape Lookout. Rescue, Oceanside

Oregon Air Quality - Current Air Quality, Forecast
27 Jul 2026 at 8:35pm
See air quality issues throughout Oregon: forecasts, particle pollution issues, ozone measurements, smoke / haze. Weather. Portland, Madras, Bend, Salem, Eugene, Pendleton, The Dalles, Medford, Klamath Falls

Man Sought for Bias Crimes on Oregon Coast Is Shot After Pulling Gun on Officers
19 Jun 2026 at 9:06am
The man had damaged a fruit stand and threatened a woman. True crime

Oregon Authorities: Poacher Sentenced for 'Highest Damage' to Wildlife in the State
3 Jul 2026 at 12:36am
At least 67 incidents across various counties. Crime

Two Crashes in Oregon Coast Region Leave One Deceased, Varied Injuries
2 Jul 2026 at 6:47am
One in Eddyville in the Coast Range, another near Port Orford. Traffic, beach safety, Newport, Gold Beach, corvallis

This is the Week for Spotting Comet 10P/Tempel 2 for Oregon, Washington - But With Optics
13 Jul 2026 at 9:20pm
No moon is about the only way to see it, says NASA. Astronomy. Weather

Gnarly, Somewhat Gruesome Video of Killer Whale Attack on Oregon Coast
23 Jun 2026 at 9:05pm
Unusual top-down footage of them hunting a harbor seal. Marine sciences, Seal Rock, Depoe Bay, Newport, Yachats

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted