Sperm whales are the world's largest toothed whale, capable of diving over 2km and holding their breath for 90 minutes, with complex social structures and welfare vulnerabilities.
Entanglement in longline fishing gear causes drowning of diving sperm whales. Ship strikes at the surface are a significant mortality cause. Ingestion of marine plastic debris causes gut impaction and starvation. Intense noise from seismic surveys may interfere with echolocation and social communication.