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Protect Hawai’i’s Whales From Suffocating in Deadly Fishing Gear

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Sponsor: Free The Ocean

Whales are drowning in discarded fishing gear. Act now to protect Hawai’i’s majestic marine giants and preserve our ocean’s future.

Protect Hawai’i’s Whales From Suffocating in Deadly Fishing Gear

Whales around Hawai’i face a growing and deadly threat from discarded fishing gear. Abandoned nets, traps, and plastic debris are entangling and poisoning these majestic creatures, disrupting the marine ecosystem and endangering endangered species.

Tragic Discoveries

In January 2023, a dead sperm whale was discovered in Kauai with numerous foreign objects in its stomach, including fishing nets and plastic bags1. These items likely caused a blockage, leading to the whale’s death1. This tragic incident highlights a broader crisis affecting marine life in our waters.

The Scale of the Problem

Entanglement in fishing gear is a severe issue. Over 300,000 whales and dolphins die annually from such incidents2. These entangled animals can drown, suffer lacerations, or starve due to restricted movement, significantly reducing their chances of survival2. The impact is felt deeply across our marine communities, threatening the balance of ocean life.

Endangered False Killer Whales in Peril

The situation is dire for Hawai’i’s false killer whales, the only endangered population of their kind. A study revealed that nearly one-third of these dolphins near the main Hawaiian islands have injuries from fishing gear3. These dolphins struggle to survive amid increasing encounters with harmful fishing practices3. This endangered group is critical to our marine biodiversity and requires immediate protection.

Efforts to combat this threat are underway. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary coordinates a large-scale entanglement response network4. This network, part of NOAA Fisheries’ Pacific Islands Regional Office, involves over 350 trained responders who work tirelessly to free entangled whales. Hawaii Pacific University’s Center for Marine Debris Research has also launched a bounty program in collaboration with NOAA5.

Despite these efforts, the challenge remains immense.

Collective Action Needed

Over 14 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, with fishing gear accounting for a substantial portion1. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including better waste management, stricter regulations on fishing practices, and increased public awareness. Collaboration between researchers, conservationists, and the fishing community is crucial for developing sustainable solutions that protect Hawai’i’s marine life.

Take Action Now

The plight of Hawai’i’s whales is a call to action for all of us. By understanding the sources and impacts of marine debris, we can implement more effective strategies to safeguard the ocean’s inhabitants. Protecting these magnificent creatures ensures a thriving, sustainable future for all.

Take action now to protect Hawai’i’s whales. Sign our petition to urge the state of Hawai’i and NOAA to collaborate on enhancing efforts to remove discarded fishing gear and impose stricter penalties on those who abandon it. Together, we can preserve the rich biodiversity of Hawai’i’s marine environment and ensure a better future for all.

More on this issue:

  1. Kerry Breen, CBS News (2 February 2023), "Hawaii researchers found fishing nets, plastic bags and traps in stomach of dead sperm whale."
  2. International Whaling Commission (2024), "Entanglement - Building a Global Response."
  3. NOAA (2024), "Large Whale Entanglement Response."
  4. The Guardian (2 Feb 2023), "Swallowed fishing gear and plastic most likely cause of Hawaii whale’s death."
  5. Marcel Honoré, Civil Beat (12 December 2024), "Fishing Gear Threatens Hawaiʻiʻs Endangered False Killer Whales."
  6. Julia Jacobo, ABC News (10 January 2023), "Commercial fishermen offered bounty to collect derelict fishing nets near Hawaii’s shores."

The Petition

To the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA Administrator, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Governor of Hawai'i,

We, the undersigned, urgently call upon you to take decisive action to safeguard Hawai'i's precious whale populations from the lethal threat posed by discarded fishing gear. The ingestion and entanglement of whales in abandoned nets, traps, and plastic debris have led to the tragic deaths of numerous marine giants, disrupting our marine ecosystem and threatening the survival of endangered species.

The conservation of our marine life is not just an environmental imperative but a moral responsibility. These magnificent creatures play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our oceans, which in turn supports the livelihoods and well-being of our communities. Humanity must rise to the challenge of protecting these sentient beings from preventable harm caused by negligent fishing practices.

We urge you to take the following specific actions to protect our whales

  • Increase Funding for Clean-Up Initiatives: Allocate more resources to remove discarded fishing gear from our waters, ensuring timely and effective clean-up efforts.
  • Implement Stricter Penalties: Enforce harsher penalties for those who abandon fishing equipment, deterring negligent practices and holding offenders accountable.
  • Enhance Monitoring and Reporting: Develop comprehensive monitoring systems to track and report instances of discarded fishing gear, enabling proactive measures to prevent entanglement and ingestion.

By implementing these measures, we can preserve the rich biodiversity of Hawai'i's marine environment and ensure a thriving, sustainable future for all. Let us unite in our commitment to protect our whales and honor our responsibility to the ocean.

Sincerely,

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