October 6, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries confirmed 76 large whale entanglements in 2025, which is fewer than the 95 confirmed cases in 2024 but higher than the 18-year average of 72.7 cases.
“Entanglements in fishing gear or marine debris represent a continued threat to the welfare and recovery of many whale species,” NOAA Fisheries said in a release. “This includes species that are endangered, such as North Atlantic right whales. Entanglements involving threatened or endangered species can have significant negative impacts on the population as a whole.”