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"Entanglement"

Entanglement Results

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Cold Water Signals Along West Coast Could Help Assess Whale Entanglement Risk

Early warning for fisheries could help avoid riskiest times and places.
March 11, 2026 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
A team of three people in a small inflatable boat approach a partially surfaced humpback, one person reaching toward the whale with a long pole. A trained team uses works to free a humpback whale off the coast of Northern California. Photo credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. MMHSRP Permit 18786.

NOAA Announces Confirmed U.S. Large Whale Entanglement Numbers for 2024

There were 95 large whale entanglement cases documented in 2024—an increase from 2023 and higher than the historical average.
September 18, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
A trained and authorized responder stands on the bow of a boat and uses a specialized knife on a very long pole to attempt to remove an entanglement wrapped around a humpback whale’s body Credit: NOAA/Maria Harvey

NOAA Announces Confirmed Large Whale Entanglement Numbers for 2023

There were 64 large whale entanglement cases documented in 2023—a decrease from 2022 and below the historical average.
July 22, 2025 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Trained and authorized responders use a grapple to grab the entanglement trailing behind a North Atlantic right whale (#4545). Credit: Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA Permit # 24359 Trained and authorized responders use a grapple to grab the entanglement trailing behind a North Atlantic right whale (#4545). Credit: Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA Permit # 24359

Trained Team Releases Gray Whale Entangled in Gillnet off California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula

Team worked for about 2 hours to remove gear entangling whale.
April 16, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Responders aboard an inflatable boat trailing and entangled whale Responders approach the entangled whale off the Palos Verdes Peninsula, using a long pole with specialized blade to reach and sever the net and lines entangling the whale. Photo by Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, under NOAA Fisheries Permit #24359.

Team Frees California Humpback Whale Entangled Off Monterey for 6 Months

Whale watching boats helped team find entangled humpback.
April 14, 2025 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Responders aboard an inflatable boat trailing an entangled humpback Trained responders trailing the humpback whale off Pacific Grove, California on April 5 as they make the final cut to free the whale from its entangling gear. Collected in partnership with The Marine Mammal Center, Marine Life Studies and Cascadia Research Collective under NOAA Permit #24359.

Responders Prepare to Help Entangled Cook Inlet Beluga Whale

Agencies, businesses, organizations, and the local community come together to create a response plan.
October 24, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
response team plans and prepares gear The response team gathers to discuss plans and prepare gear to help an entangled Cook Inlet beluga spotted on October 1. Credit: Carrie Goertz, Alaska Sea Life Center, used with permission.

$4 Million Awarded for Marine Mammal Rescue Efforts through Prescott Grant Program

NOAA Fisheries recommended awarding 37 grants, totaling more than $4 million, through the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Assistance Grant Program to our partners in 16 states.
September 30, 2024 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Humpback whale carcass lying on beach with two people measuring the pectoral flipper Authorized responders from the Seacoast Science Center take measurements of a dead humpback whale that stranded in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Credit: Seacoast Science Center.

A Hero for Marine Life: Honoring Dr. Charles “Stormy” Mayo

Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, celebrates Stormy Mayo’s 48-year career spent conserving and studying marine life, including rescuing entangled North Atlantic right whales.
May 06, 2024 - Leadership Message ,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
National
Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo and Assistant Administrator Janet Coit Dr. Charles “Stormy” Mayo and NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit at the Center for Coastal Studies.

NOAA Fisheries Releases Report on Killer Whale Entanglements in Alaska from 1991–2022

New technical memorandum provides 31 years of killer whale entanglement history in Alaska.
December 14, 2023 - Feature Story ,
Alaska
Killer whales swim in the waters off Alaska Killer whales swim in the waters off Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/John Moran

Dolphin, Porpoise, and Small Toothed Whale Entanglement Response

NOAA Fisheries authorizes emergency response to dolphins, porpoises, and small toothed whales with life-threatening entanglements.
National