Stranded whales remain at sea – locals are asked to remain vigilant

On Sunday, people went to Ruakākā Beach to help a pod of whales resurface.
Photo: Delivered / DOC / Nikki Hartley

Whales stranded on a Northland beach appear to have remained at sea, although local people have been asked to remain vigilant.

Hundreds of people, including members of the Department of Environmental Protection, local hapū Patuharakeke and whale rescue organization Project Jonah, resurfaced a pod of whales stranded on Ruakākā Beach in Bream Bay.

Four of the whales died on the shallows.

The Patuharakeke hapū was on guard overnight and reports of the first rays of sunlight were positive, said Ari Carrington of the hapū.

“We have three teams scanning the coast and the reports are clear, which is average,” he said.

Whales piloted at Ruakākā Beach on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Photo: Delivered / DOC

Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board marine scientist Hollie Kereopa said they would be monitoring the coast over the next few days.

“We managed to resurface about 20 pilot whales and we haven’t seen any strandings on any part of the Bream Bay coast today, so that’s a really good sign for us so far,” she said. Morning report.

“It’s a really long stretch of coast. Historically, it is the main place where whales and dolphins come ashore. You just need to keep an eye on the entire coast and monitor it constantly.”

Four whales that died stranded remained just above the high tide mark on Ruakākā Beach on Sunday.

“Some of our whanau were there and camped with them and spent the night with them.”

On Monday, they will continue the tikanga-based process for dealing with dead whales.

Whales piloted at Ruakākā Beach on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Photo: Delivered / DOC

DOC Whangārei operations manager Joel Lauterbach said the response to the stranding was “amazing” and demonstrated the community’s deep connection with the marine environment.

“It’s amazing to see the true care and compassion people show for these wonderful animals.”

He said DOC was grateful to Patuharakeke, who led the field effort and support from Project Jonah and “hundreds of members of the public.”

On Sunday around 4:30 p.m., the Jonah Project received calls reporting that whales were in trouble at Ruakākā Beach, CEO Daren Grover said over the weekend.

About 200 people ran to the beach to help, and most of the whales surfaced and were monitored until 8 p.m., Project Jonah said on Facebook.

DOC said it would remain with hapū members on the beach on Monday and asked the public to remain vigilant for whale sightings and immediately report any potential strandings by calling 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).