Marine & Aquatic

Marine: Whale Entanglement Response Welfare

Whale entanglement in fishing gear is a global welfare crisis, with disentanglement operations providing direct welfare benefit to some individuals.

Key Facts

Whales entangle in lobster pot lines, gill nets and other gear globally
Entanglement causes wounds from rope cutting into blubber and muscle over weeks
North Atlantic right whale faces extinction partly from entanglement mortality
Disentanglement operations are dangerous but can save individual whale lives
Ropeless fishing gear technology could eliminate the entanglement problem

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement causes one of the most prolonged welfare harms in marine wildlife - ropes cutting through blubber and muscle over weeks before death from exhaustion or infection. Disentanglement provides direct welfare benefit to individuals and buys time for fishing gear reform.

What You Can Do

Support BDMLR and NOAA entanglement response teams
Advocate for ropeless fishing gear adoption in lobster and crab fisheries
Donate to whale entanglement disentanglement training and equipment
Support regulations requiring gear modifications to reduce entanglement risk