More whales, dolphins and porpoises die every year by getting entangled in fishing gear than from any other threat. Small whales, dolphins and porpoises are most vulnerable because they generally aren't strong enough to break free and come to the surface to breathe. For these smaller cetaceans, entanglement can cause death by drowning.

Large whales usually don't drown, but heavy fishing gear can stay attached to them for a long time. This extra weight can wear them out, and fishing line wrapped tightly around them can cause serious injuries.

Here are a few examples of whale, dolphin and porpoise species that have suffered steep declines in population in large part because of entanglement in fishing gear:

Harbor porpoise

Vulnerable globally, but particularly in the Baltic and Black Seas High bycatch rates have caused steep population declines in some areas Signs of general ecological collapse in the Baltic and Black Seas, where the population is as low as 600

North Atlantic right whale

Migrate between Florida and eastern Canada Fewer than 350 left and declining Entangled in lobster pots, gillnets, etc. More information: Center for Coastal Studies

Maui's dolphin
(formerly called North Island Hector's dolphin but recently determined to be a separate subspecies)

Endemic to New Zealand Only around 100 left High rates of bycatch in gillnets and other fishing gear More information: World Wildlife Fund New Zealand, Maui's dolphin Web site

Irrawaddy dolphin

Only one known population in the Philippines Fewer than 70 left Entanglement in lift nets and fish corrals

Franciscana dolphin (a.k.a. La Plata dolphin)

Found off Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina Vulnerable due to restricted range and small population size High rates of bycatch in gillnets

Vaquita

Highly endangered Small porpoise endemic to Mexico As few as 500 left Bycatches in gillnets More information: VaquitaMarina.org

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