Humpback Whale Welfare: Entanglement in Fishing Gear

Humpback whales are frequently entangled in fishing gear, causing severe welfare impacts from rope constriction, drowning risk, and impaired feeding during recovery.

Key Facts

Humpback whale populations have recovered significantly since whaling ended but entanglement remains a major threat
Around 80% of humpbacks in some populations carry entanglement scars
Rope entanglement around flippers, tails, and jaws causes constriction injuries, infection, and starvation
Disentanglement operations require specialist teams and carry risks to both whales and responders
The whale entanglement problem is driven by increasing overlap between whale feeding grounds and fishing gear

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement in fishing gear causes prolonged suffering for humpback whales. Ropes that constrict flippers or tails cause chronic constriction injuries that can cut deeply into tissue over time as the animal grows. Jaw entanglement prevents normal feeding, causing slow starvation over weeks to months. Gear trailing behind the animal creates hydrodynamic drag that impairs swimming and increases energy expenditure. Some entangled whales survive for years in deteriorating condition before dying. Disentanglement by specialist teams, while requiring significant resources and skill, can restore normal health to entangled whales. Gear modifications including ropeless traps and breakaway line represent long-term welfare-protective solutions.

What You Can Do

Support disentanglement response networks including those operated by ORCA and equivalent organisations
Advocate for fishing gear modifications including ropeless traps in areas with high whale entanglement rates
Choose seafood from fisheries certified under schemes with active entanglement bycatch reduction requirements
Report any entangled whale to the appropriate marine mammal emergency network immediately