Why are whales getting tangled up in ropes?

Whales, including a sperm whale found entangled in ropes on Raasay, are increasingly getting caught in fishing gear off the Scottish coast, leading to malnourishment and death. Recent incidents involving humpback whales have prompted the Scottish Entanglement Alliance to work with the fishing industry on prevention measures, such as using “ropeless creels” to reduce entanglement risks and protect marine life. The rise in entanglements may be linked to recovering whale populations, changing distribution patterns, and climate change impacts on prey availability, highlighting the need for proactive conservation efforts.

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