Fishing and Whales: Healthy Fisheries and Healthy Whale Populations

As ocean temperatures have risen in recent years, reports of whale entanglements along the Pacific coastline have climbed, possibly due to shifts in foraging patterns resulting in increased overlap with crab and other fisheries.  The need for solutions to prevent entanglements has never been greater. Conservationists and fishermen are working together to identify ways to prevent entanglements to maintain healthy fisheries alongside healthy whale populations. This presentation will offer a special opportunity to learn about efforts the Dungeness crab fishery is undertaking to prevent lost gear and reduce whale entanglement.  You’ll also hear from whale entanglement responders about some of the cases where an entanglement response has been required.

Speaker: Kathi George, Ryan Berger, and Heather Willis, Califorina Whale Rescue