False Killer Whales and Fisheries in Hawaiian Waters: Evidence From Mouthline and Dorsal Fin Injuries Reveal Ongoing and Repeated Interactions
December 12, 2024
Results suggest that efforts to reduce bycatch and begin monitoring of fisheries that overlap the range of the endangered MHI population are needed.
Monitoring bycatch in fisheries is essential for effective conservation and fisheries sustainability. False killer whales Pseudorca crassidens in Hawaiian waters are known to interact with both commercial and recreational fisheries, but limited observer coverage across Hawaiian fisheries obscures the ability to assess bycatch. We build upon previous work and assess occurrence of fisheries interactions through photographic evidence of dorsal fin and mouthline injuries for 3 false killer whale populations in Hawai‘i.
Harnish AE, Baird RW, Mahaffy SD, Douglas AB. et al. 2024. False killer whales and fisheries in Hawaiian waters: evidence from mouthline and dorsal fin injuries reveal ongoing and repeated interactions Endang Species Res 55:273-293.https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01374