New research on the underwater interaction between whales and fishing nets promise new insight – and solutions – on entanglements

ARK members are co-funding a project to unveil underwater interactions.

ARK is profoundly troubled by the recent deaths of two whales and the entanglement of a third during the last fishing season. Following CCAMLR’s advice, fishing vessels have adopted Whale Excluding Devices on their nets, which seemed to have worked during the last season. However, these new incidents underscore the urgent need for further enhancements to this system. Krill fishing vessels tow their nets at very low speeds (1-2 knots), posing no collision risk to whales. At sea observations show that fin whales, the most abundant species at the fishing grounds, are aware of vessels and maneuver ahead of them, avoiding interaction. In contrast, humpback whales, which have shown a remarkable recovery and are nearing their carrying capacity, seem attracted to fishing nets and may become entangled. The mechanisms for these interactions are still unknown.

In response, ARK is taking a proactive stance this season by co-funding the project “Baleen whales and fishing for Antarctic krill: the role of fishing gear, operational overlap and mitigation efficacy”. This innovative project focuses on uncovering the dynamics of underwater interactions between whales and fishing gear. “Knowing how animals get bycaught in trawl nets is a necessary first step to effective exclusion designs.  Currently, we do not have this knowledge making it difficult to assess and improve mitigation solutions, a problem this project will comprehensively address”, said Dr Andrew Lowther, Principal Investigator of the project. “By deploying underwater cameras and air drones, we aim to gain crucial insights into whale behavior underwater and their presence around fishing vessels. This information will be vital in formulating effective strategies to prevent future fatalities.” The project is scheduled to begin in the Austral summer of 2025.

In addition to the Whale Excluding Devices, many vessels are incorporating additional measures, such as net sensors, to quickly detect any whale entanglement and execute prompt actions to avert disasters.

“As responsible krill operators, we recognize the significance of these issues. While current impacts on whale populations may appear minor, we are dedicated to refining best practices to mitigate these incidents and ensure a sustainable future for both the whales and our fishing activities” commented Dr Javier Arata, Executive Officer of ARK.

The project “Baleen whales and fishing for Antarctic krill: the role of fishing gear, operational overlap and mitigation efficacy”, co-funded by ARK, will uncover the underwater interactions between whales and fishing gear.