Marine

Minke Whale Bycatch and Incidental Capture Welfare

Minke whales are frequently caught incidentally in fishing gear, with welfare concerns from entanglement and the practice of lethal removal of 'nuisance' individuals.

Key Facts

Minke whales are the most commonly caught large whale in fisheries bycatch globally
Norway and Iceland maintain controversial scientific whaling programmes targeting minke whales
Minke whales caught in nets may drown or sustain serious injuries before release
Acoustic deterrent devices are used in some fisheries to reduce minke whale interactions

Welfare Considerations

Drowning in fishing gear causes acute respiratory distress before death. Entanglement injury may leave surviving whales with permanent impairment. The welfare of minke whales caught in commercial fishing operations is poorly monitored and rarely addressed.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns to end scientific whaling programmes
Advocate for bycatch monitoring and reduction for large whales in commercial fisheries
Choose seafood certified by schemes that include cetacean bycatch monitoring