Four Whale Entanglements Documented Off Maine Coast

New federal data shows whale entanglements remained above average last year, including several cases documented off the coast of Maine.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 76 large whale entanglements were confirmed nationwide last year. That is slightly higher than the annual average of nearly 73 cases recorded between 2007 and 2024.

NOAA says commercial or recreational fishing gear was confirmed to be involved in 46% of the reported cases nationwide.

Here in the Gulf of Maine, NOAA documented six confirmed whale entanglements. Four of those were located off the Maine coast, including two humpback whales, one minke whale and one fin whale in waters off Midcoast and Downeast Maine.

Two additional humpback whale entanglements were documented farther south in the Gulf of Maine, off the coasts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

NOAA’s report does not identify what caused each of the individual entanglements shown off Maine or specify the origin of any gear involved in those cases.

The numbers come as debate continues over regulations intended to reduce the risk of whale entanglements. Maine fishermen have raised concerns that additional restrictions could create serious economic challenges for the state’s fishing industry, while environmental groups have argued stronger protections are necessary, particularly for endangered whales.

Regardless of where someone falls in that debate, the latest numbers highlight an unfortunate reality: whales continue to become tangled in gear in waters off New England and across the country.