A crisis is unfolding off the West Coast of the United States.
Whales, just like this one, are getting entangled in fishing gear as they swim along their migration routes.
Once entangled, these whales can drag heavy traps and lines for weeks — if not months — before they fall victim to their wounds.
As they struggle to swim, feed, and make it to the surface to breathe, the tough ropes cut deep into their flesh and bone, leading to life threatening infection and disease.
But it doesn’t have to be like this.
Join Oceana in protecting whales from deadly entanglements in the Dungeness crab fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Together, we can ensure these giants and other ocean wildlife swim freely in our ocean. Tell decision makers to take action today!
petition letter
Dear Decision Makers,
Ocean waters off the U.S. West Coast are important highways for many species of whales and sea turtles as they migrate to and from feeding and breeding grounds. Some of these species are endangered with extinction including blue whales, the Central American population of humpback whales, and Pacific leatherback sea turtles. Entanglement in fishing gear is a primary threat impeding the recovery of these endangered ocean animals. Between 2012 and 2022 there were 333 confirmed whale entanglements off the West Coast. Dungeness crab fisheries in California, Oregon, and Washington contribute to the cumulative impact fisheries are having on these whale and sea turtle populations. While most whale entanglements go undetected, 27 whales were confirmed entangled in fishing gear off the US West Coast in 2023 in addition to a critically endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtle discovered entangled and drowned in commercial Dungeness crab gear.
According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, roughly 75% of reported whale entanglements are fatal as whales can drag fishing gear for months, hindering their ability to dive and feed. This can result in malnutrition, starvation, infection to damaged flukes and even severed appendages and drowning. We appreciate the efforts you have taken to help ensure whales and sea turtles have safe passage as they swim and feed off our coasts. Time and area closures and overall reductions in gear during times of co-occurrence with whales and sea turtles have proven successful approaches to reducing entanglement risk.
However, too many whales are still getting entangled. We need stronger conservation measures across all three West Coast states to further protect whales and sea turtles. Authorizing and creating a regulatory regime to manage pop-up gear could help keep fishermen on the water to provide a domestic supply of whale and turtle safe crab. Because pop-up gear stores the rope and buoy with the trap on the seafloor until a fishing vessel arrives to retrieve the gear, it eliminates the entanglement threat posed by conventional fishing lines. Also, a coordinated approach for robust line and buoy marking is needed to identify the fishery and state of origin for assessing entanglements. We also need stronger regulations to prevent and retrieve lost and abandoned gear.
The West Coast can continue to be a globally recognized place for lucrative Dungeness crab fisheries and healthy whale and sea turtle populations. We are relying on your leadership to make that a reality with necessary management actions.
Sincerely,
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