Fishing gear entanglement is a global issue, and the biggest, most serious threat affecting whales, dolphins, and porpoises of all sizes. Only recently, a humpback whale became entangled in a craypot line off the New Zealand coast last week, witnesses described it thrashing in distress for ten minutes before eventually freeing itself. It was a fortunate outcome but even when dolphins or whales escape or are freed from fishing gear, the long-term damage often reduces their chances of survival. In many cases, animals die of secondary complications rather than the entanglement itself – physical injuries, stress, and restricted movement caused by the deadly gear.
Co-authored by Professor Karen Stockin and Professor Antonio Fernández, a new study provides a stark example of this hidden welfare burden when a postmortem examination revealed a female bottlenose dolphin had suffered extensive long-term injuries linked to entanglement. The findings paint a very sad, stark picture of the hidden toll entanglement.
The solution is simple:
If you care about protecting these remarkable creatures, the most impactful action you can take is to leave fish and seafood off your plate.
It’s a small change that makes a big difference.
