2021 Atlantic Large Whale Entanglement Report

Abstract

This report summarizes all large whale entanglement incidents along the Atlantic coast that were reported to the NOAA Fisheries in 2021 in which line, gear or unknown materials were directly observed on the whale.  Only incidents with new indications of entanglement that are first reported in 2021 are included.  We do not include whales that were reported entangled in earlier years and continued to be entangled in 2021. These incidents represent a minimum number as not all interactions are reported.