Narwhals, like other large whales, face entanglement risks from fishing gear that can cause severe injury, drowning, and prolonged suffering.
Entanglement in fishing gear represents a serious welfare threat for narwhals. Unlike more accessible coastal whale species, narwhals inhabiting remote Arctic waters are rarely detected when entangled, and rescue is almost never feasible. Animals that become entangled suffer progressive injuries from gear cutting into skin, restriction of normal swimming and breathing, and eventual drowning or exhaustion. The isolated and poorly monitored nature of narwhal habitat means the scale of entanglement mortality is likely underestimated. Preventive approaches — gear modifications that reduce entanglement risk for whales, and seasonal fishing restrictions in key narwhal aggregation areas — are the primary welfare intervention strategies available.