Humpback Whales and the Threat of Entanglement
Learn How the Marine Mammal Care Center Is Taking Action
Among the most widely distributed of the great whales, humpbacks are found in nearly all oceans.
Humpback whales come to Southern California to feed in the nutrient-rich waters off our coast in the spring and summer before migrating hundreds of miles to breed in warmer waters off Central America.
These large whales, which can grow to 60 feet and weigh up to 40 tons, feed on small schooling fish and krill by straining large volumes of water using hairlike baleen plates in their mouths.
Humpback whales suffered for many years due to commercial whaling, but laws like the Endangered Species Act and a whaling moratorium have helped the species recover, though some populations are still considered endangered.
Today, humpback whales face dangers like vessel strikes near busy coastal ports and shifts in food availability as waters warm due to climate change. But the leading human-caused threat is entanglement in fishing gear like traps, pots or gillnets. Once entangled, a whale may drag the heavy gear for long distances. Without help, it can result in an inability to feed, as well as severe injury and even death.
Presently, there are not enough experts on the West Coast with the highly specialized training necessary to respond to the growing number of entangled whales.
The Marine Mammal Care Center is filling this gap by equipping our team with the skills and training needed to free whales from deadly entanglements.
We’re adding our voice and expertise to a growing coalition working to solve these problems at the source and promoting policies that ensure healthy and thriving marine mammal populations.
Give Whales Space
Maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards (about a football field)
Observe From a Distance
Use binoculars or your zoom lens to observe natural behaviors
Know Who to Call
Report entangled whales to NOAA’s hotline by calling 877-SOS-WHALE
Together with ocean heroes like you, we can make a difference for whales. Your generosity not only provides marine mammals with a second chance at life but also contributes to the long-term health of our ocean.
