United States. National Marine Fisheries Service. Southwest Region

Large whale interactions with commercial fishing gear are an issue of global concern primarily because such entanglements can lead to injury and mortality of whales, and most whale populations are protected due to relatively low population levels and the general threats associated with long-lived species. Entanglement of large whales in commercial fishing gear also affect the fishing industry in terms of lost gear and potential increase in regulations to reduce entanglements. Off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington, there have been 308 large whales documented as entangled between January 1, 1982 and December 31, 2012 (Saez et al., in prep). Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliaes) were the most frequently reported species, with 185 and 66 entangled whales, respectively, between 1982 and 2012. Both of these species are seasonally abundant and generally found nearshore off the U.S. west coast. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) have also been reported entangled in fishing gear.

Technical Memorandum