Lost and abandoned fishing gear is trapping whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Entanglement causes injury, suffering, and death, but it is preventable.
What Is Entanglement
Entanglement happens when marine animals become trapped in human-made materials such as fishing nets, ropes, lines, and other ocean debris. For animals like whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and seabirds, even a small amount of fishing gear can become life-threatening.
Animals may become wrapped around the mouth, fins, tail, or body. Some drown because they cannot reach the surface to breathe. Others suffer deep wounds, infections, exhaustion, or starvation. Even when they escape, many are left injured and carry the effects for months or years.
Why It Matters
Entanglement is one of the most serious human-caused threats to marine life. It affects an animal’s ability to swim, feed, rest, and care for its young. In severe cases, the rope or fishing gear can cut deep into flesh and bone.
Lost fishing equipment, often called ghost fishing gear, continues trapping animals long after it has been discarded. This means the damage can continue for years, even when no one is using the fishing gear anymore.
Why Is This Problem Growing
Entanglement risk is increasing because more fishing gear, ropes, and marine debris are entering the ocean. Coastal development, fishing activity, aquaculture, shark nets, and plastic waste all contribute to the danger.
Whales are especially vulnerable when fishing activity overlaps with migration and breeding routes. In Australia, species such as humpback and southern right whales are at greater risk because they often travel close to shore.
What You Can Do
The good news is that entanglement is preventable. Small actions can make a real difference.
Disentangling marine animals is dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals. If you see an entangled whale, dolphin, turtle, or other marine animal, keep your distance and report it immediately.
See An Entangled Animal
Stay calm. Keep your distance. Do not enter the water or try to remove the fishing gear yourself. Call the number below.
New South Wales
National Parks and Wildlife
Ph: 1300 072 757
ORRCA Whale and Dolphin Rescue
Ph: 02 9415 3333
Northern Territory
Marine Wildwatch
Ph: 1800 453 941
Queensland
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Ph: 1300 130 372
South Australia
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline
1800 675 888
Tasmania
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Ph: 0427 942 537
Victoria
Whale and Dolphin Emergency Hotline
Ph: 1300 136 017
Western Australia
Wildcare Helpline
Ph: 08 9474 9055
Entanglement in fishing gear is a hidden but devastating threat in our oceans. By learning about the issue, sharing knowledge, and taking simple responsible actions, we can help protect marine life and reduce preventable harm.
References
World Wildlife Fund. (n.d.). Ghost gear: The most deadly form of marine plastic debris. World Wildlife Fund. https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/ghost-gear-the-most-deadly-form-of-marine-plastic-debris
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2021). The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2021. FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4474en
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). Marine debris and entanglement. NOAA Marine Debris Program. https://marinedebris.noaa.gov
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (n.d.). Marine species entanglement and marine debris. Australian Government. https://www.dcceew.gov.au
Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia. (n.d.). Whale and dolphin rescue information. ORRCA. https://www.orrca.org.au