Why West Coast whale entanglements remained high in 2025

Why West Coast whale entanglements remained high in 2025 reports that whale entanglements off the U.S. West Coast stayed near the highest levels in years. A NOAA report said 33 whales off Oregon, Washington and California, plus the coasts of Canada and Mexico, were entangled in commercial fishing gear in 2025, just one fewer than in 2024. The Center for Biological Diversity said at least 10 whales were already seen entangled in 2026, including a humpback near Winchester Bay in early May and a dead humpback in sablefish gear on July 7. In 2025, there were 20 reported entangled whales in California, 9 in Washington, 3 in Oregon, and one in Mexico. The article cites scientific concerns that climate change is altering migration patterns and pushing whales closer to shore, increasing conflicts with fisheries.