Fishing gear entanglement pose threat to critically endangered whales

New research conducted by Australian marine scientists has highlighted the severe impact of fishing gear entanglements on the survival of North Atlantic right whales, a species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

In their study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal, the researchers analyzed 40 years of data on 199 female right whales together with known fishing-gear entanglements to calculate the impact of these encounters on whale reproduction.

Modeling of whale-sightings data suggested that when female right whales get tangled in ropes from lobster and crab pots, they are less likely to calve, which potentially leads to extinction for this species.

Currently, fewer than 350 North Atlantic right whales remain alive worldwide, making them the second-most endangered great whale species. Fishing gear entanglement is considered a major threat to their survival.

Prior research revealed that 89 percent of females had experienced at least one entanglement event during their lifetime, with almost two-thirds of them enduring two or more.

According to the new study, pre-breeders who suffered minor or severe entanglements in a particular year had a lower chance of transitioning into the breeding population, compared to those not entangled or who experienced moderate entanglements.

Surprisingly, those with minor entanglements showed the lowest probabilities, with individuals being on average 47 percent less likely to breed compared to the non-entangled females.

The research team concluded that action is needed to address the lethal and sub-lethal impacts of all entanglements, regardless the severity.

(Cover: North Atlantic right whales. /CFP)