Humpback whales have recovered substantially from commercial whaling, but entanglement in fishing gear remains a leading cause of injury and death. The welfare impacts of entanglement on these long-lived mammals are profound.
Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the most significant welfare harms for large whales. The prolonged nature of entanglement-related suffering — sometimes lasting months — distinguishes it from acute mortality events. Whales drag gear that restricts movement, causes deep wounds, and prevents efficient feeding. Infection of rope lacerations causes additional suffering. The behavioral indicators of entangled whales — unusual surface behavior, altered diving patterns, progressive emaciation — demonstrate the scale of their suffering. Disentanglement rescue reduces individual animal suffering and provides critical data on entanglement patterns, informing gear modification programs.