Whale entanglements reach almost 100, according to NOAA's annual report for 2024.
In a concerning development, a recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has highlighted the risks that large whales face from commercial fishing gear. The report found 95 confirmed cases of large whales entangled in U.S. waters in 2024, marking the highest number in five years.
Humpback whales, with their growing population along the coasts, were the most frequently entangled species. California, with its active lobster and crab fisheries, led the way with 25 percent of these entanglements. Massachusetts, another state with a thriving fishery, accounted for 18 percent of the cases. Together, these two states accounted for over 70 percent of the live entanglement cases.
The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, with only 370 individuals remaining, was also caught in some of these entanglements. The report underscores the urgency of addressing this issue, as the total number of entangled whales likely underestimates the problem due to many cases going unreported or unconfirmed.
The fisheries in California and Massachusetts deploy thousands of vertical trap lines in coastal waters. In an effort to curb the threat of entanglements, fishers are testing new gear. However, the report did not provide information about which fisheries were involved with the most large whales in the USA in 2024.
The number of entangled whales in 2024 is higher than the year prior, with 95 cases compared to 64 in 2023. Most entanglements occurred off the coast of four states: California, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Hawaii.
The report serves as a call to action for the fishing industry and conservationists alike to work together to protect these majestic creatures from the dangers posed by commercial fishing gear. The future of these whales, and the health of our oceans, depends on it.
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