The community of Campobello is mourning the loss of Joseph Howlett, the lobsterman with a passion for rescuing whales, who died in a freak entanglement accident on July 10 about 20 miles off the coast of New Brunswick in the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Howlett, who co-founded the Campobello Whale Rescue Team in 2002 and has helped rescue about two dozen whales over the past 15 years, was working to free a North Atlantic right whale that had become entangled in fishing lines.
      Reports indicate that, following the whale's disentanglement from the lines, the whale did something to cause the 59-year-old's death. Jerry Conway, an advisor with the Campobello Whale Rescue Team, states, "We are awaiting the coroner's report and the constable's investigation," and he declines to comment further on the accident itself. At the time of the incident, Conway was not on the vessel from which Howlett was working to free the whale. "When we get the report we will see what to do in the future" to make such incidents less likely, he says. He describes Howlett as "a very competent individual with a tremendous circle of friends" and "a very close friend."
"If word got around that you had a problem," says Conway, "Joe would be the first one knocking on your door."
     The accident occurred east of Miscou Island, at the northeastern tip of the province. Howlett was transported by a Canadian Coast Guard vessel to Shippagan, where an ambulance and helicopter awaited. However, he was declared dead by medical personnel on the shore.
     The previous week, on July 5, the Campobello team had assisted with the disentanglement of another right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In recent weeks, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has confirmed the deaths of seven right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and necropsies were conducted on several to determine the cause of death. Right whales are among the rarest of all marine mammals, with only about 450 remaining.
     Concerning Howlett's death, Fisheries and Ocean Canada Minister Dominic LeBlanc, in a prepared statement, said, "Taking part in whale rescue operations requires immense bravery and a passion for the welfare of marine mammals. Mr. Howlett's notable experience and contribution to whale rescue include his very recent and critical role in successfully freeing an entangled whale on July 5. At the time of the fatal incident, Mr. Howlett was on a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) fast response vessel. DFO's Conservation and Protection officers and the Canadian Coast Guard took part in responding to the situation. There are serious risks involved with any disentanglement. Each situation is unique, and entangled whales can be unpredictable." He added, "We have lost an irreplaceable member of the whale rescue community. His expertise and dedication will be greatly missed."
     The New England Aquarium in Boston issued a statement saying, "His skills as a mariner were surpassed only by the enduring friendships he developed with the researchers who worked with him. Joe's big heart, affable nature and undeniable love of the sea allowed him to work comfortably in both the fishing and scientific worlds." Howlett consulted with aquarium researchers on fishing gear designs aimed at reducing entanglement risks.
     The International Fund for Animal Welfare's Canada Country Director Patricia Zaat commented, "Rescuing and protecting animals is the International Fund for Animal Welfare's core missions, and we are proud to partner with the Campobello Whale Rescue Team and its incredibly skilled responders. Joe lived and breathed that mission, and thanks to his tireless dedication, he saved dozens of whales over the last 15 years." She added, "Joe will be remembered as a kind man with great humour and a ready smile."
     "Joe got tremendous satisfaction in seeing whales swim away after being disentangled," says Conway. "We understand he got to see this one after it was freed."
Howlett leaves behind two adult sons and one grandchild.