Increase in Whale Entanglements off Australia's East Coast
Australian scientists have observed a troubling rise in the number of whales caught and tangled in ropes, nets, and fishing lines during this migration season.
According to recent data, there have been 48 separate entanglements of humpback whales on the East Coast in the past few months, following last year's estimate of 45 entangled whales.
- The information was collected from social media posts, newspaper articles, and enquiries to authorities.
- There is currently no official database, although one is needed.
- The International Whaling Commission has voluntary reports on its portal.
Consistent with the increasing population size, entanglements of humpback whales in set fishing gear have been rising steadily since the 1990s.
Rising entanglements are part of a concerning trend seen in the United States and elsewhere, with 20 entanglements reported in 2017, for example.
Author's summary: Whales are getting caught in fishing nets off Australia's East Coast.