In the last three decades there were 37 killer whales caught in fishing gear in Alaska that led to the deaths of 25 people according to a new report released from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The report by NOAA Fisheries covers documented cases between 1991 and 2022. The report does not contain the unusually high number of instances that saw 10-killer whales were discovered caught in fishing gearmostly bottom-trawl gearwith nine discovered dead. These events led to a thorough exam of the organization.
The cases that were documented from 1991 through 2022 involved various fishing gear. Trawl gear was the cause of 20 of the entanglements. longline gear was responsible for 10 and other gear was involved in other instances.
Killer whales are also referred to as orcas, can be found in all oceans of all over the world, but they prefer warmer waters. A number of groups of killer whales reside within Alaska waters and some of them are exclusively fish eaters, and others feed on marine mammals hunted by hunters. They are one of those marine mammals killed by human activity in marine habitats.
Killer whales are known be seen following vessels to feast on the fish caught on hook, net or traps, and sometimes at great risk. Many die of asphyxiation due to the fact that they are entangled in the water. Even when they do escape alive there are those who suffer severe injuries that can lead to death later on as per the report.
There are also gear modifications and equipment that can reduce the harm that whales cause as the report states. Barrier ropes that stop whales from entering nets, sleeves that protect the fish that are hooked into longline gear Acoustic instruments to ward off whales, and more devices must be examined further to determine how they could decrease the suffering of killer whales, as the report stated.
None of the 37 reported entanglements in the period of three decades involved fishing or marine equipment of any type.
In two cases the whales were discovered to be encased in kelp strings. The determinations were based on the analysis of photos – which demonstrates the importance of collecting photographic evidence, according to the report.
Killer whales as well as other whales are known interact with the kelp as well. They have also been seen engaging in a game with it. Additionally, there is proof that the rubbing of kelp soothes the skin of whales. It is probable that there were more cases of entanglement in kelp than those reported, according to the report.
The attraction to kelp could be an indication of a future issue if the seaweed and kelp farming industry expands according to the report. “Killer whales could have the capacity to interact with farms that grow kelp human-made material as well as the crops,” it said.
Alaska killer whales have been classified based on the stock and by prey species. The resident whales are fish eaters and they hunt transient marine mammal. There are multiple stocks within Alaska waters.
NOAA Fisheries scientists were able to establish the stocks of 12 whales that were entangled through genetic testing. Nine of them were part of one of the largest stocks, which is known as Eastern North Pacific Alaska Resident stock while the remaining three came taken from The Eastern North Pacific, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea Transient stock.
NOAA Fisheries estimates that there are 1,920 animals living in the Eastern North Pacific Alaska Resident stock, which is found throughout Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska and Aleutians Island. Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, as well as 587 within the Eastern North Pacific, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutians Island and Bering Sea transient stocks. The past analysis conducted done by NOAA Fisheries has found that the Eastern North Pacific Alaska Resident stock is able to withstand loss of up to 19 animals per year, whereas the smaller transient stock is able to sustain losses of 5.9 animals each year.
This article was originally published in Alaska Beacon and is republished here with permission.
