Shrinking cold-water habitat increases whale entanglements in nets

Humpback whales are increasingly entangled in fishing gear due to rising ocean temperatures that reduce their cold-water habitat, as revealed by new research. The study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that habitat compression, rather than population growth, is a primary factor in this risk. A new Habitat Compression Index has been developed to predict entanglement risks and guide fisheries management, complementing innovations like ropeless fishing gear.

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