Entanglements occur when whales become tangled in fishing ropes, nets, or marine debris, which can restrict their movement and result in serious injury or death. In 2022, large whale entanglements were confirmed off the coasts of 11 states, with more than 85% observed off California, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Hawaii. Humpback whales were the most frequently entangled species, followed by gray, minke and fin whales. Forty percent of confirmed entanglements involved commercial or recreational fishing gear, such as traps, nets, and monofilament lines. The remaining cases involved line that could not be directly attributed to a specific fishery or other source.

On the U.S. West Coast, whale entanglements increased significantly in 2014, from an average of 8 per year from 1982 to 2013 to 34 per year from 2014 to 2022. The majority of entanglements reports come from California, where fixed gear fisheries, such as trap/pot and gillnet operations are prevalent. Although the specific fishery responsible is often unknown, most confirmed cases involve Dungeness crab gear. Humpback whales are the most common entangled whale species. Entanglements have also been confirmed for blue whales, fin whales, gray whales, killer whales, minke whales, sperm whales, and leatherback sea turtles. In 2023, there were 27 confirmed entanglements on the West Coast. This level remains higher than what occurred prior to 2014 but continues a trend of fewer entanglements compared to the peak of over 50 in 2016.

In response to the increase in reported entanglements, state and federal fishery managers, in consultation with industry leaders and other stakeholders, are collaboratively working to identify and implement solutions to reduce entanglement risk in the Dungeness crab fishery and other fixed gear fisheries. As part of these ongoing efforts, the Foundation is supporting a collaborative initiative to trial innovative fishing gear that offers potential solutions to reduce entanglement risks while allowing fishing to continue. In partnership with fishermen, gear manufacturers, fishery managers, and other stakeholders, we facilitate gear access, provide training, and offer support to test a variety of gear types in real-world fishing conditions. These trials will inform further testing, guide technology development, and contribute to the potential approval of innovative gear types for use in California trap fisheries. This would offer fishermen the opportunity to continue fishing in areas where traditional gear is restricted due to increased entanglement risks.

Gear testing activities are mainly taking place off California’s central coast, primarily within state waters in zones 3 and 4, which have regularly experienced closures due to the presence of whales and risk of entanglement.

Key partners and advisors include the California Ocean Protection Council, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , West Coast National Marine Sanctuaries, California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group, and fishermen collaborators.

The gear currently being tested includes pop-up fishing technologies, also known as on-demand gear, which reduce the amount of time that buoy lines are in the water column, thereby decreasing the risk of entanglements with whales and sea turtles. . These systems use acoustic signals or timed-release mechanisms to release a stowed rope and buoy, buoyant spool, or lift bag to the surface, allowing fishermen to retrieve gear without the need for persistent vertical lines. The following types of systems are available for testing.

To expand testing opportunities, the Foundation is creating an innovative gear library to offer fishermen access to a variety of gear from multiple manufacturers. Fishermen can borrow gear for testing and, in exchange, provide data on performance along with feedback and suggestions to help improve the technologies to better meet their needs.