Minke whales are the most commonly stranded large whale in the UK and face welfare threats from entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes and acoustic disturbance from shipping and naval operations.
Minke whale welfare in UK waters is affected by multiple anthropogenic pressures simultaneously. Entanglement causes acute suffering and is a leading cause of mortality in confirmed strandings. Vessel strike causes severe blunt trauma injuries. Chronic acoustic disturbance from commercial shipping affects feeding behaviour and communication. Individual welfare impacts are significant and measurable through strandings data.