According to Metro, members of the Macuaticos Foundation, a marine conservation
organization, filmed a young humpback whale off Colombia’s Pacific coast
who appeared to be missing a tail.
organization, filmed a young humpback whale off Colombia’s Pacific coast
who appeared to be missing a tail.
The whale calf seemed to swim normally through
the water, but when the animal dived, one could see a terrifying jagged wound
where the calf’s tail should have been. Researchers believe the most likely reason is that the whale had become entangled and wrapped so tightly in a fishing net that circulation was cut off and the tail was eventually lost.
the water, but when the animal dived, one could see a terrifying jagged wound
where the calf’s tail should have been. Researchers believe the most likely reason is that the whale had become entangled and wrapped so tightly in a fishing net that circulation was cut off and the tail was eventually lost.
Sadly, they fear the whale will not survive
for long without a tail. Biologist Cristian Bermudez said, “The whale will
probably not survive because the tail is essential for travelling around the
sea and it is fundamental for deep dives.
for long without a tail. Biologist Cristian Bermudez said, “The whale will
probably not survive because the tail is essential for travelling around the
sea and it is fundamental for deep dives.
Watch the shocking moment this young whale was
caught on camera breaching without a tail.
caught on camera breaching without a tail.
A survey by scientists with Ocean
Cleanup, an organization working to develop technologies to reduce ocean
plastic, found that at least 46 percent of the plastic in the “Great Pacific garbage patch, a
floating gyre the size of France made up of plastic, comes from fishing nets.
It’s worth noting that miscellaneous discarded fishing gear makes up the
majority of the rest. Around the
world, abandoned or lost fishing gear trashes our oceans and kills countless
sea animals. World Animal Protection reports that 640,000
tons of gear are lost and pollute oceans each year.
Cleanup, an organization working to develop technologies to reduce ocean
plastic, found that at least 46 percent of the plastic in the “Great Pacific garbage patch, a
floating gyre the size of France made up of plastic, comes from fishing nets.
It’s worth noting that miscellaneous discarded fishing gear makes up the
majority of the rest. Around the
world, abandoned or lost fishing gear trashes our oceans and kills countless
sea animals. World Animal Protection reports that 640,000
tons of gear are lost and pollute oceans each year.
In 2016 there were 71 reported cases of whales
caught in fishing lines off California, Oregon, and Washington. Of the 29
caught in identifiable fishing gear, 22 were caught in commercial Dungeness
crab gear. And such entanglements are increasing yearly. There were 61 off the
West Coast in 2015, a record high at the time.
caught in fishing lines off California, Oregon, and Washington. Of the 29
caught in identifiable fishing gear, 22 were caught in commercial Dungeness
crab gear. And such entanglements are increasing yearly. There were 61 off the
West Coast in 2015, a record high at the time.
Kristen Monsell, an attorney with the Center
for Biological Diversity, told NPR what it’s like when a whale becomes
entangled in a giant fishing net:
for Biological Diversity, told NPR what it’s like when a whale becomes
entangled in a giant fishing net:
Sometimes it can
drown the whale immediately, or it can happen over weeks, because they get so
tired. They eventually die of exhaustion. If the gear is in their mouths, it
impedes their ability to feed. It can amputate their tails or other parts of
the body. And for younger whales, the gear may wrap around them, but the whale
keeps growing and it cuts into their flesh.
Human consumption of seafood is responsible
for the deaths of countless whales, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and
porpoises. In fact, the National Journal
estimates that about 20 percent of all fish caught in commercial trawling nets are “bycatch, or unwanted animals.
for the deaths of countless whales, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, and
porpoises. In fact, the National Journal
estimates that about 20 percent of all fish caught in commercial trawling nets are “bycatch, or unwanted animals.
Recent video footage released by Mercy For
Animals, SeaLegacy, Sharkwater, and Turtle Island Restoration Network reveals
how marine animals—including dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds—are routinely
trapped and killed
in the commercial fishing industry’s driftnets. Animals were
documented being cut apart, pierced with hooks, caught in nets, and left to
suffocate aboard driftnet fishing boats off the coast of California.
Animals, SeaLegacy, Sharkwater, and Turtle Island Restoration Network reveals
how marine animals—including dolphins, sea lions, and seabirds—are routinely
trapped and killed
in the commercial fishing industry’s driftnets. Animals were
documented being cut apart, pierced with hooks, caught in nets, and left to
suffocate aboard driftnet fishing boats off the coast of California.
See for yourself.
You can help protect marine life by urging the
California legislature to ban driftnets. Click here
to take action.
California legislature to ban driftnets. Click here
to take action.
The best thing we can do to remove our support from the cruel fishing industry is to
leave fish off our plates and switch to a compassionate vegan diet.
leave fish off our plates and switch to a compassionate vegan diet.
Ready to get started? Check out all the amazing vegan versions of seafood, such as
Gardein’s fishless filets and crabless
cakes. And click here for some great sea-inspired recipes.
Gardein’s fishless filets and crabless
cakes. And click here for some great sea-inspired recipes.
Photo Credit: CEN/Fundacion Macuaticos
