Marine Animals

Wild Minke Whale Bycatch and Welfare

Minke whales are among the most commonly entangled whales in UK and European waters, with welfare implications for individuals that survive with injuries.

Key Facts

Minke whales are common in UK coastal waters particularly in summer
Entanglement in creel lines, pot ropes, and gill nets is the leading cause of injury
Entangled minkes may carry gear for weeks causing lacerations and fatigue
Post-entanglement survival rates are unknown but wounds can be severe
Reporting sightings of entangled minkes enables response team dispatch

Welfare Considerations

Minke whales entangled in fishing gear suffer wounds from rope constriction that can cut through to bone. The extended duration of entanglement before death or release causes sustained suffering. Bycatch monitoring, gear modification, and disentanglement teams are the primary welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Report any entangled marine mammals to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue
Support campaigns for creel gear modifications reducing entanglement risk
Donate to marine mammal welfare and disentanglement organisations