Humpback whales have recovered dramatically from commercial whaling, but face emerging welfare threats from vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement and noise pollution.
Vessel strikes cause immediate traumatic death or severe blunt force injuries including broken vertebrae and internal haemorrhage. Entangled humpbacks drag gear for weeks to months, suffering chronic pain, infection and exhaustion before death or rescue. Noise pollution causes communication masking that disrupts social bonds, feeding coordination and mother-calf contact. The recovery of humpback populations creates new welfare challenges as whales move into increasingly trafficked waters.