Gareloch whales rescue operation gets under way

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) group, a charity dedicated to the rescue and wellbeing of marine animals in distress around the UK, is working with Ministry of Defence experts to try to herd the animals into safer waters today (Thursday).

A pod of three northern bottlenose whales have been spotted in the Gareloch for more than a week and concerns have been growing that they may be distressed and underweight.

Rescue teams have accelerated plans to move the animals as operation Joint Warrior gets set to start, bringing two UK military ships and one from the US to Faslane naval base this week.

READ MORE: Whales near Helensburgh: divers to attempt Gareloch pod rescue

A Notice to Mariners, issued earlier this week, states that around six vessels are expected to be involved in today's operation, and asks other vessels in the area to keep clear and navigate at slow speed and with particular caution.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson previously told the Advertiser that they are "prepared to amend the [Joint Warrior] programme if these whales remain in an atypical situation".

An update from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue group, shared on Wednesday, said: "Over the last month, BDMLR medics from across the Argyll and Ayrshire areas and beyond have been monitoring a pod of northern bottlenose whales that have been spending a lot of time in various locations around the river Clyde, near Glasgow.

"For much of this time a pair were observed in Loch Goil, until they disappeared a couple of weeks ago. A few days later, what was presumably the same pair were seen at the mouth of the Clyde, near Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, and it was hoped this was the pair now leaving the area.

"However, since then five whales have been spotted in separate locations in the Loch Long area and have entered some of the smaller lochs nearby, where they have remained.

"Our team, with support from local residents and the MOD, have been working hard to keep up routine monitoring of the animals and trying to prevent disturbance to them through education and awareness on the ground.

"Northern bottlenose whales are a deep-diving species of cetacean normally found off the edge of the continental shelf to the west of the UK and Ireland. It is very unusual for them to be in coastal waters, however we have had similar incidents in recent years where animals of the same species have entered lochs, including Loch Long, that have subsequently left of their own accord without intervention, and presumably have succeeded in returning to their proper habitat.

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"We recently became aware that a significant military exercise is due to begin next week, and as whales are particularly sensitive to underwater sound, have been concerned about the effect it may have on the animals.

"Therefore in consultation with colleagues at Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, the decision has been made to attempt to herd the animals out using a number of boats in formation to get them back to open sea.

"This will be a very carefully planned operation carried out under our licence from NatureScot for exactly this type of situation where we need to try to move free swimming cetaceans to safety.

"This of course does come with risks of its own and there is no guarantee it will be successful given the depth of water and distance that needs to be covered, so will be undertaken with as much care as possible. We will of course reassess our actions and options if the whales decide that they will not go.

"We are very grateful for all of the support the team has had from the local residents and boat operators who have offered their assistance with this as well as the MOD, they will be joining the BDMLR rescue boat coming in from Fife to carry out this operation.

"All we can do for now is wish everyone involved the very best and hope for a positive outcome."