Humpback Whale Entangled in Fishing Gear off California
Stark Reminder that More Action is Needed to Achieve Whale Safe Oceans
Press Release Date: July 22, 2024
Location: MONTEREY, CALIF.
Contact:
Ashley Blacow | email: ablacow@oceana.org | tel: 1.831.643.9220
A juvenile humpback whale was confirmed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration entangled in fishing gear on July 13 off Redondo Beach and may still be trailing the heavy fishing gear, elevating concern over the whale’s condition and ability to survive. It was reported that fishing rope is wrapped around the whale’s fluke (tail), pulling a buoy behind it. Multiple eye-witness accounts describe how the entanglement is preventing the whale from swimming normally. Additionally, the whale was observed with high loads of sea lice, an indication the whale has been entangled for an extended time and the animal’s health is deteriorating. This raises concern over the whale’s ability feed, and the nature of the entanglement can make the whale susceptible to infection as heavy, tight ropes can dig into the animal’s flesh. While the fishery of origin is currently unknown, this is another alarming incident that more needs to be done to ensure whales have safe passage as they migrate and feed off our shores.
Entanglement in fishing gear is a top threat to endangered animals off the West Coast, including humpback whales and sea turtles. While most of these deadly entanglements go undetected, 27 whales were confirmed entangled in fishing gear that use vertical lines (such as for crab pots) off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington in 2023. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, roughly 75 percent of reported whale entanglements are fatal as whales can drag heavy fishing gear for months, hindering their ability to dive and feed. This can result in malnutrition, starvation, infection to damaged flukes and even severed appendages and drowning. While efforts have been made to reduce harm and injury to wildlife by closing fishing zones and reducing the amount of gear in the water in California’s Dungeness crab fishery, other fisheries do not have the same precautions and the number of entanglements is still far above the level allowed under federal law. Oceana is pushing for stronger regulations to further reduce these entanglements, including stricter closures to vertical line gear, comprehensive line marking, and new measures to prevent lost fishing gear.
The State of California is currently considering strengthening its regulations to prevent whale entanglements in the Dungeness crab fishery and a federal Take Reduction Team is forming next year to further reduce fishery entanglements. In the meantime, testing of ropeless fishing gear has demonstrated the viability of a new whale-safe fishing method that could provide for continued fishing in spring months when waters are closed to conventional gear to prevent entanglements. Oceana is pushing the state to move beyond the testing phase and authorize ropeless gear for use beginning in Spring 2025.
This entanglement comes within a few months of Oceana’s new “Whales in Crisis” public service announcement (PSA) campaign launched featuring actress Cobie Smulders calling on decision-makers to do more to save whales from deadly entanglements in fishing gear off the West Coast of the United States. The PSA features a humpback whale captured on film by ocean photographer Alvaro Herrero off the coast of Baja California confirmed entangled in California commercial Dungeness crab gear. The whale swam for over 1,000 miles for nearly a year before it was observed entangled and eventually died from its injuries.
Caitlynn Birch, Oceana’s Pacific Marine Scientist released the following statement in response:
“The entanglement of this juvenile humpback whale is another heartbreaking reminder of the types of injuries and potentially deadly outcomes to ocean life off our coast from fishing gear. We are concerned about the whale’s condition and the cumulative impacts fishery entanglements are having on humpback whales—particularly the population of humpbacks that come to California waters to feed from Central American and Southern Mexico as they are endangered with extinction. We commend the California Fish and Game Commission and the Department of Fish and Wildlife for their dedicated efforts to address entanglement of whales in the state’s Dungeness crab fishery as an example of the types of management measures that can be successfully taken. As we make great strides with “whale-safe” ropeless gear, we urge California, Oregon, and Washington to enact stronger protections when conventional fishing gear is used to provide whales and sea turtles with safe passage as they swim and feed off the West Coast.”
If you encounter an entangled whale at sea:
- DO NOT approach or try to disentangle it. Disentangling whales can be extremely dangerous and should only be done by trained rescuers.
- DO call the NOAA Entangled Whale Hotline 1-877-SOS-WHALe (1-877-767-9425) or hail the Coast Guard on VHF CH 16.
- DO TRY TO STAY WITH THE WHALE: Remain at least 100 yards away. Without approaching, document its location, speed, direction, and behavior while taking photos and videos.
For more information about Oceana’s campaign for whale safe oceans please visit www.oceana.org/WhaleSafeOceans
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
