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Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 12 (from laksa094)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa012.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html","crawl_time":1774555073,"first_indexed_time":1772048323,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,phys!\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html s443","src_root_hash":"5200908481159124812","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat","meta_descriptions":["New research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in PLOS Climate."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Conceptual summary on the utility of the cumulative Habitat Compression Index as an rate tracker of thermal habitat availability pertaining to ecosystem shifts (involving humpback whales and their prey in slope and shelf coastal habitats) to inform whale entanglement mitigation science strategies in the central CCLME (e.g., tactical and strategic ecosystem-based fishery management). Credit: Santora JA, et al., 2025,\nPLOS Climate\n, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\nNew research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in\nPLOS Climate\n.\nMany kinds of fishing gear, such as gillnets and traps, can entangle whales, injuring or even killing them. Before 2014, annual reported entanglements off the U.S. West Coast were below 10, but reports have risen, with 31 reported in 2024.\nPrior research has shown that, when sea surface temperatures rise, the area of cool water where whales feed shrinks and becomes compressed shoreward, where fishing activity is more intense—possibly boosting risk of entanglement.\nHowever, many entanglements are never detected, and when they are, it may be unclear where and when the whale first became entangled. Additionally, humpback populations have grown, which could boost entanglement numbers. Thus, the interplay of factors contributing to entanglement risk remains challenging for researchers to understand.\nTo address this challenge, Santora and colleagues analyzed associations between reported\nhumpback entanglements\n, population size, and changes in cool-water habitat area off the West Coast over the last 2.5 decades. They employed the Habitat Compression Index, a metric previously developed under Santora's leadership, which tracks changes in overall availability of cool-water habitat.\nThey found that more humpback entanglements occurred during years with lower cool-water habitat areas, and that population growth alone was not enough to statistically explain the increases—especially during a\nmajor marine heat wave\n(\"the blob\") in 2015 and 2016.\nAn underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\nA trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\nAn underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\nA trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\nThese findings suggest the record number of entanglements—more than 40 confirmed—during that heat wave occurred not just because there were more whales, but also because of habitat compression.\nThe findings also show that the Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance. Accordingly, the researchers recommend integrating the metric as an early warning system to aid fishery management decisions that could impact entanglement risk, such as fishing season timing and trap number limits.\nThe authors add, \"Habitat compression is a primary driver of entanglements. We found strong negative correlations between cool thermal habitat availability and entanglement reports. Years with low cumulative thermal habitat (high compression) consistently resulted in the highest number of entanglements across all US West Coast regions, making cHCI a critical predictor of both risk and detection.\n\"Environmental shifts influence risk more than population growth. While population recovery contributes to baseline interactions, it does not explain extreme spikes (e.g., 2015–2016 and 2024). Analysis of 'excess entanglements' (residuals controlled for population size) confirmed that environmental conditions exacerbate risk significantly beyond density-dependent factors.\n\"Additionally, our 'compression-assisted resolution' hypothesis suggests that extreme compression concentrates whales nearshore, artificially inflating recapture rates and explaining biologically implausible population growth estimates (>30%) during heat waves.\n\"Forecasting provides an early warning system. The cHCI effectively predicts ocean conditions 6–12 months in advance. For example, January 2024 forecasts correctly predicted the year's low thermal habitat, which coincided with a rise in entanglements to 31 reports.\n\"Operationalizing a 'rate tracker' aids management. We recommend integrating cHCI into risk assessments as a 'rate tracker.' Monitoring thermal habitat accumulation during winter and spring enables managers to make strategic decisions regarding seasonal fishing activity and mitigation efforts.\"\nPublication details\nSantora JA, et al. Whale entanglements disentangled through the lens of cumulative habitat compression.\nPLOS Climate\n(2026).\nDOI: 10.1371\/journal.pclm.0000723\nCitation\n:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRisk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat (2026, February 25)\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tretrieved 26 March 2026\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html\nThis document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.","attrs_markdown":"[![Phys.org](https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/logo-header.png)](https:\/\/phys.org\/)\n\nTopics\n\n- [Week's top](https:\/\/phys.org\/weekly-news\/)\n- [Latest news](https:\/\/phys.org\/latest-news\/)\n- [Unread news](https:\/\/phys.org\/unread-news\/)\n- [Subscribe](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n### Science X Account\n\n- [Nanotechnology](https:\/\/phys.org\/nanotech-news\/)\n- [Physics](https:\/\/phys.org\/physics-news\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/phys.org\/earth-news\/)\n- [Astronomy & Space](https:\/\/phys.org\/space-news\/)\n- [Chemistry](https:\/\/phys.org\/chemistry-news\/)\n- [Biology](https:\/\/phys.org\/biology-news\/)\n- [Other Sciences](https:\/\/phys.org\/science-news\/)\n- [![Medical Xpress](https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/MedicalXpress2.svg) Medicine](https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/)\n- [![Tech Xplore](https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/techX_w.svg) Technology](https:\/\/techxplore.com\/)\n\n- share this\\!\n- [Share]()\n- [Tweet](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n- [Share](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n- [Email](mailto:)\n\n1. 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[Ecology](https:\/\/phys.org\/biology-news\/ecology\/)\n***\nFebruary 25, 2026\n\n# Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat\nby [Public Library of Science](http:\/\/www.plos.org\/)\n\nedited by [Sadie Harley](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/), reviewed by [Robert Egan](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/)\n\n![](https:\/\/scx0.b-cdn.net\/pic\/sadie.jpg)\n\n##### Sadie Harley\nscientific editor\n\nMeet our [editorial team](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/)    \n Behind our [editorial process](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-process\/)\n\n![](https:\/\/scx0.b-cdn.net\/pic\/Robert.jpg)\n\n##### Robert Egan\nassociate editor\n\nMeet our [editorial team](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/)   \n Behind our [editorial process](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-process\/)\n\n[Editors' notes]()\n\nThis article has been reviewed according to Science X's [editorial process](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-process\/) and [policies](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-standards\/). [Editors](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/editorial-team\/) have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:\n\nfact-checked\n\npeer-reviewed publication\n\ntrusted source\n\nproofread\n\n[The GIST]()\n\n[Add as preferred source](https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https%3A%2F%2Fphys.org%2F)\n***\n\n![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle.jpg)\n\nConceptual summary on the utility of the cumulative Habitat Compression Index as an rate tracker of thermal habitat availability pertaining to ecosystem shifts (involving humpback whales and their prey in slope and shelf coastal habitats) to inform whale entanglement mitigation science strategies in the central CCLME (e.g., tactical and strategic ecosystem-based fishery management). Credit: Santora JA, et al., 2025, *PLOS Climate*, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n\nNew research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in [*PLOS Climate*](https:\/\/plos.io\/4aMFM6u).\n\nMany kinds of fishing gear, such as gillnets and traps, can entangle whales, injuring or even killing them. Before 2014, annual reported entanglements off the U.S. West Coast were below 10, but reports have risen, with 31 reported in 2024.\n\nPrior research has shown that, when sea surface temperatures rise, the area of cool water where whales feed shrinks and becomes compressed shoreward, where fishing activity is more intense—possibly boosting risk of entanglement.\n\nHowever, many entanglements are never detected, and when they are, it may be unclear where and when the whale first became entangled. Additionally, humpback populations have grown, which could boost entanglement numbers. Thus, the interplay of factors contributing to entanglement risk remains challenging for researchers to understand.\n\nTo address this challenge, Santora and colleagues analyzed associations between reported [humpback entanglements](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2024-02-ai-photos-recovering-pacific-humpback.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal), population size, and changes in cool-water habitat area off the West Coast over the last 2.5 decades. They employed the Habitat Compression Index, a metric previously developed under Santora's leadership, which tracks changes in overall availability of cool-water habitat.\n\nThey found that more humpback entanglements occurred during years with lower cool-water habitat areas, and that population growth alone was not enough to statistically explain the increases—especially during a [major marine heat wave](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2022-11-years-blob-santa-barbara-channel.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal) (\"the blob\") in 2015 and 2016.\n\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg)\n  \n  An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg)\n  \n  A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg)\n  \n  An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg)\n  \n  A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n\n- [![](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg)](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n- [![](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/tmb\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg)](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n\nThese findings suggest the record number of entanglements—more than 40 confirmed—during that heat wave occurred not just because there were more whales, but also because of habitat compression.\n\nThe findings also show that the Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance. Accordingly, the researchers recommend integrating the metric as an early warning system to aid fishery management decisions that could impact entanglement risk, such as fishing season timing and trap number limits.\n\nThe authors add, \"Habitat compression is a primary driver of entanglements. We found strong negative correlations between cool thermal habitat availability and entanglement reports. Years with low cumulative thermal habitat (high compression) consistently resulted in the highest number of entanglements across all US West Coast regions, making cHCI a critical predictor of both risk and detection.\n\n\"Environmental shifts influence risk more than population growth. While population recovery contributes to baseline interactions, it does not explain extreme spikes (e.g., 2015–2016 and 2024). Analysis of 'excess entanglements' (residuals controlled for population size) confirmed that environmental conditions exacerbate risk significantly beyond density-dependent factors.\n\n\"Additionally, our 'compression-assisted resolution' hypothesis suggests that extreme compression concentrates whales nearshore, artificially inflating recapture rates and explaining biologically implausible population growth estimates (\\>30%) during heat waves.\n\n\"Forecasting provides an early warning system. The cHCI effectively predicts ocean conditions 6–12 months in advance. For example, January 2024 forecasts correctly predicted the year's low thermal habitat, which coincided with a rise in entanglements to 31 reports.\n\n\"Operationalizing a 'rate tracker' aids management. We recommend integrating cHCI into risk assessments as a 'rate tracker.' Monitoring thermal habitat accumulation during winter and spring enables managers to make strategic decisions regarding seasonal fishing activity and mitigation efforts.\"\n\n###### Publication details\nSantora JA, et al. Whale entanglements disentangled through the lens of cumulative habitat compression.*PLOS Climate* (2026). [DOI: 10.1371\/journal.pclm.0000723](https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pclm.0000723)\n\n**Journal information:** [PLOS Climate](https:\/\/phys.org\/journals\/plos-climate\/)\n\n###### Key concepts\n[**habitats**](https:\/\/phys.org\/concepts\/habitats\/)[**fishery management**](https:\/\/phys.org\/concepts\/fishery-management\/)[**rorquals**](https:\/\/phys.org\/concepts\/bio\/mammalia\/cetacea\/balaenopteridae\/)\n\nProvided by [Public Library of Science](https:\/\/phys.org\/partners\/public-library-of-science\/)\n\n**Citation**: Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat (2026, February 25) retrieved 26 March 2026 from https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html\n\nThis document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. 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The Habitat Compression Index predicts risk up to a year in advance, supporting its use in fishery management to mitigate entanglement.\n\nThis summary was automatically generated using LLM. [Full disclaimer](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/ai-disclaimer\/)\n##### Let us know if there is a problem with our content\n###### E-mail the story\n##### Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat\n\n#### Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience\nWe keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account.\n\n[Remove ads](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/donate\/?utm_source=phys&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popup)\n\n[Maybe later](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n\n[![Medical Xpress](https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/MedicalXpress.svg) Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news](https:\/\/medicalxpress.com\/)\n\n[![Tech Xplore](https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/techexploer.svg) Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances](https:\/\/techxplore.com\/)\n\n[![Science X](https:\/\/phys.b-cdn.net\/tmpl\/v6\/img\/ScienceX.svg) Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/)\n\n## Newsletters\n## Follow us\n\n- [Top](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html)\n- [Home](https:\/\/phys.org\/)\n- [Search](https:\/\/phys.org\/search\/)\n- [Mobile version](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html?deviceType=mobile)\n\n- [Help](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/)\n- [FAQ](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/contactus\/)\n- [About](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/about-us\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/feedback\/)\n\n- [Support us](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/donate\/)\n- [Science X Account](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/profile\/)\n- [Archive](https:\/\/phys.org\/archive\/)\n- [News wire](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/wire-news\/)\n\n- [Android app](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.PhysOrg.RssLite)\n- [iOS app](https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/phys-org\/id356443503?mt=8)\n- [RSS feeds](https:\/\/phys.org\/feeds\/)\n- [Push notification]()\n\n© Phys.org 2003 - 2026 powered by [Science X Network](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/)\n\n[Privacy policy](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/privacy\/) [Terms of use](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/terms\/)\n\n#### E-mail newsletter\n#### Follow us\n\n[It appears that you are currently using **Ad Blocking software**. What are the consequences?](https:\/\/sciencex.com\/help\/adblock\/)\n\n×\n\n![Quantcast](https:\/\/pixel.quantserve.com\/pixel\/p-5dNhPAnM9r0yY.gif)","attrs_readable_markdown":"![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800a\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle.jpg)\n\nConceptual summary on the utility of the cumulative Habitat Compression Index as an rate tracker of thermal habitat availability pertaining to ecosystem shifts (involving humpback whales and their prey in slope and shelf coastal habitats) to inform whale entanglement mitigation science strategies in the central CCLME (e.g., tactical and strategic ecosystem-based fishery management). Credit: Santora JA, et al., 2025, *PLOS Climate*, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n\nNew research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in [*PLOS Climate*](https:\/\/plos.io\/4aMFM6u).\n\nMany kinds of fishing gear, such as gillnets and traps, can entangle whales, injuring or even killing them. Before 2014, annual reported entanglements off the U.S. West Coast were below 10, but reports have risen, with 31 reported in 2024.\n\nPrior research has shown that, when sea surface temperatures rise, the area of cool water where whales feed shrinks and becomes compressed shoreward, where fishing activity is more intense—possibly boosting risk of entanglement.\n\nHowever, many entanglements are never detected, and when they are, it may be unclear where and when the whale first became entangled. Additionally, humpback populations have grown, which could boost entanglement numbers. Thus, the interplay of factors contributing to entanglement risk remains challenging for researchers to understand.\n\nTo address this challenge, Santora and colleagues analyzed associations between reported [humpback entanglements](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2024-02-ai-photos-recovering-pacific-humpback.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal), population size, and changes in cool-water habitat area off the West Coast over the last 2.5 decades. They employed the Habitat Compression Index, a metric previously developed under Santora's leadership, which tracks changes in overall availability of cool-water habitat.\n\nThey found that more humpback entanglements occurred during years with lower cool-water habitat areas, and that population growth alone was not enough to statistically explain the increases—especially during a [major marine heat wave](https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2022-11-years-blob-santa-barbara-channel.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal) (\"the blob\") in 2015 and 2016.\n\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg)\n  \n  An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg)\n  \n  A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg)\n  \n  An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n- ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https:\/\/scx1.b-cdn.net\/csz\/news\/800\/2026\/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg)\n  \n  A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/)\n\nThese findings suggest the record number of entanglements—more than 40 confirmed—during that heat wave occurred not just because there were more whales, but also because of habitat compression.\n\nThe findings also show that the Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance. Accordingly, the researchers recommend integrating the metric as an early warning system to aid fishery management decisions that could impact entanglement risk, such as fishing season timing and trap number limits.\n\nThe authors add, \"Habitat compression is a primary driver of entanglements. We found strong negative correlations between cool thermal habitat availability and entanglement reports. Years with low cumulative thermal habitat (high compression) consistently resulted in the highest number of entanglements across all US West Coast regions, making cHCI a critical predictor of both risk and detection.\n\n\"Environmental shifts influence risk more than population growth. While population recovery contributes to baseline interactions, it does not explain extreme spikes (e.g., 2015–2016 and 2024). Analysis of 'excess entanglements' (residuals controlled for population size) confirmed that environmental conditions exacerbate risk significantly beyond density-dependent factors.\n\n\"Additionally, our 'compression-assisted resolution' hypothesis suggests that extreme compression concentrates whales nearshore, artificially inflating recapture rates and explaining biologically implausible population growth estimates (\\>30%) during heat waves.\n\n\"Forecasting provides an early warning system. The cHCI effectively predicts ocean conditions 6–12 months in advance. For example, January 2024 forecasts correctly predicted the year's low thermal habitat, which coincided with a rise in entanglements to 31 reports.\n\n\"Operationalizing a 'rate tracker' aids management. We recommend integrating cHCI into risk assessments as a 'rate tracker.' Monitoring thermal habitat accumulation during winter and spring enables managers to make strategic decisions regarding seasonal fishing activity and mitigation efforts.\"\n\n###### Publication details\nSantora JA, et al. Whale entanglements disentangled through the lens of cumulative habitat compression.*PLOS Climate* (2026). [DOI: 10.1371\/journal.pclm.0000723](https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pclm.0000723)\n\n**Citation**: Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat (2026, February 25) retrieved 26 March 2026 from https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html\n\nThis document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Description	New research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in PLOS Climate.
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Boilerpipe Text	Conceptual summary on the utility of the cumulative Habitat Compression Index as an rate tracker of thermal habitat availability pertaining to ecosystem shifts (involving humpback whales and their prey in slope and shelf coastal habitats) to inform whale entanglement mitigation science strategies in the central CCLME (e.g., tactical and strategic ecosystem-based fishery management). Credit: Santora JA, et al., 2025, PLOS Climate , CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) New research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in PLOS Climate . Many kinds of fishing gear, such as gillnets and traps, can entangle whales, injuring or even killing them. Before 2014, annual reported entanglements off the U.S. West Coast were below 10, but reports have risen, with 31 reported in 2024. Prior research has shown that, when sea surface temperatures rise, the area of cool water where whales feed shrinks and becomes compressed shoreward, where fishing activity is more intense—possibly boosting risk of entanglement. However, many entanglements are never detected, and when they are, it may be unclear where and when the whale first became entangled. Additionally, humpback populations have grown, which could boost entanglement numbers. Thus, the interplay of factors contributing to entanglement risk remains challenging for researchers to understand. To address this challenge, Santora and colleagues analyzed associations between reported humpback entanglements , population size, and changes in cool-water habitat area off the West Coast over the last 2.5 decades. They employed the Habitat Compression Index, a metric previously developed under Santora's leadership, which tracks changes in overall availability of cool-water habitat. They found that more humpback entanglements occurred during years with lower cool-water habitat areas, and that population growth alone was not enough to statistically explain the increases—especially during a major marine heat wave ("the blob") in 2015 and 2016. An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) These findings suggest the record number of entanglements—more than 40 confirmed—during that heat wave occurred not just because there were more whales, but also because of habitat compression. The findings also show that the Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance. Accordingly, the researchers recommend integrating the metric as an early warning system to aid fishery management decisions that could impact entanglement risk, such as fishing season timing and trap number limits. The authors add, "Habitat compression is a primary driver of entanglements. We found strong negative correlations between cool thermal habitat availability and entanglement reports. Years with low cumulative thermal habitat (high compression) consistently resulted in the highest number of entanglements across all US West Coast regions, making cHCI a critical predictor of both risk and detection. "Environmental shifts influence risk more than population growth. While population recovery contributes to baseline interactions, it does not explain extreme spikes (e.g., 2015–2016 and 2024). Analysis of 'excess entanglements' (residuals controlled for population size) confirmed that environmental conditions exacerbate risk significantly beyond density-dependent factors. "Additionally, our 'compression-assisted resolution' hypothesis suggests that extreme compression concentrates whales nearshore, artificially inflating recapture rates and explaining biologically implausible population growth estimates (>30%) during heat waves. "Forecasting provides an early warning system. The cHCI effectively predicts ocean conditions 6–12 months in advance. For example, January 2024 forecasts correctly predicted the year's low thermal habitat, which coincided with a rise in entanglements to 31 reports. "Operationalizing a 'rate tracker' aids management. We recommend integrating cHCI into risk assessments as a 'rate tracker.' Monitoring thermal habitat accumulation during winter and spring enables managers to make strategic decisions regarding seasonal fishing activity and mitigation efforts." Publication details Santora JA, et al. Whale entanglements disentangled through the lens of cumulative habitat compression. PLOS Climate (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000723 Citation : Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat (2026, February 25) retrieved 26 March 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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[Ecology](https://phys.org/biology-news/ecology/) * February 25, 2026 # Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat by [Public Library of Science](http://www.plos.org/) edited by [Sadie Harley](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-team/), reviewed by [Robert Egan](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-team/) ![](https://scx0.b-cdn.net/pic/sadie.jpg) ##### Sadie Harley scientific editor Meet our [editorial team](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-team/) Behind our [editorial process](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-process/) ![](https://scx0.b-cdn.net/pic/Robert.jpg) ##### Robert Egan associate editor Meet our [editorial team](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-team/) Behind our [editorial process](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-process/) [Editors' notes]() This article has been reviewed according to Science X's [editorial process](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-process/) and [policies](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-standards/). [Editors](https://sciencex.com/help/editorial-team/) have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread [The GIST]() [Add as preferred source](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=https%3A%2F%2Fphys.org%2F) * ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle.jpg) Conceptual summary on the utility of the cumulative Habitat Compression Index as an rate tracker of thermal habitat availability pertaining to ecosystem shifts (involving humpback whales and their prey in slope and shelf coastal habitats) to inform whale entanglement mitigation science strategies in the central CCLME (e.g., tactical and strategic ecosystem-based fishery management). Credit: Santora JA, et al., 2025, PLOS Climate, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) New research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in [PLOS Climate](https://plos.io/4aMFM6u). Many kinds of fishing gear, such as gillnets and traps, can entangle whales, injuring or even killing them. Before 2014, annual reported entanglements off the U.S. West Coast were below 10, but reports have risen, with 31 reported in 2024. Prior research has shown that, when sea surface temperatures rise, the area of cool water where whales feed shrinks and becomes compressed shoreward, where fishing activity is more intense—possibly boosting risk of entanglement. However, many entanglements are never detected, and when they are, it may be unclear where and when the whale first became entangled. Additionally, humpback populations have grown, which could boost entanglement numbers. Thus, the interplay of factors contributing to entanglement risk remains challenging for researchers to understand. To address this challenge, Santora and colleagues analyzed associations between reported [humpback entanglements](https://phys.org/news/2024-02-ai-photos-recovering-pacific-humpback.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal), population size, and changes in cool-water habitat area off the West Coast over the last 2.5 decades. They employed the Habitat Compression Index, a metric previously developed under Santora's leadership, which tracks changes in overall availability of cool-water habitat. They found that more humpback entanglements occurred during years with lower cool-water habitat areas, and that population growth alone was not enough to statistically explain the increases—especially during a [major marine heat wave](https://phys.org/news/2022-11-years-blob-santa-barbara-channel.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal) ("the blob") in 2015 and 2016. - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg) An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg) A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg) An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg) A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - [![](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/tmb/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg)](https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html) - [![](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/tmb/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg)](https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html) These findings suggest the record number of entanglements—more than 40 confirmed—during that heat wave occurred not just because there were more whales, but also because of habitat compression. The findings also show that the Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance. Accordingly, the researchers recommend integrating the metric as an early warning system to aid fishery management decisions that could impact entanglement risk, such as fishing season timing and trap number limits. The authors add, "Habitat compression is a primary driver of entanglements. We found strong negative correlations between cool thermal habitat availability and entanglement reports. Years with low cumulative thermal habitat (high compression) consistently resulted in the highest number of entanglements across all US West Coast regions, making cHCI a critical predictor of both risk and detection. "Environmental shifts influence risk more than population growth. While population recovery contributes to baseline interactions, it does not explain extreme spikes (e.g., 2015–2016 and 2024). Analysis of 'excess entanglements' (residuals controlled for population size) confirmed that environmental conditions exacerbate risk significantly beyond density-dependent factors. "Additionally, our 'compression-assisted resolution' hypothesis suggests that extreme compression concentrates whales nearshore, artificially inflating recapture rates and explaining biologically implausible population growth estimates (\>30%) during heat waves. "Forecasting provides an early warning system. The cHCI effectively predicts ocean conditions 6–12 months in advance. For example, January 2024 forecasts correctly predicted the year's low thermal habitat, which coincided with a rise in entanglements to 31 reports. "Operationalizing a 'rate tracker' aids management. We recommend integrating cHCI into risk assessments as a 'rate tracker.' Monitoring thermal habitat accumulation during winter and spring enables managers to make strategic decisions regarding seasonal fishing activity and mitigation efforts." ###### Publication details Santora JA, et al. Whale entanglements disentangled through the lens of cumulative habitat compression.PLOS Climate (2026). [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000723](https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000723) Journal information: [PLOS Climate](https://phys.org/journals/plos-climate/) ###### Key concepts [habitats](https://phys.org/concepts/habitats/)[fishery management](https://phys.org/concepts/fishery-management/)[rorquals](https://phys.org/concepts/bio/mammalia/cetacea/balaenopteridae/) Provided by [Public Library of Science](https://phys.org/partners/public-library-of-science/) Citation: Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat (2026, February 25) retrieved 26 March 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. 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Readable Markdown	![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle.jpg) Conceptual summary on the utility of the cumulative Habitat Compression Index as an rate tracker of thermal habitat availability pertaining to ecosystem shifts (involving humpback whales and their prey in slope and shelf coastal habitats) to inform whale entanglement mitigation science strategies in the central CCLME (e.g., tactical and strategic ecosystem-based fishery management). Credit: Santora JA, et al., 2025, PLOS Climate, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) New research shows that, off the U.S. West Coast, humpback whales face a higher risk of getting entangled in fishing equipment during years with lower availability of cool-water habitat, where the whales feed. Jarrod Santora of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in [PLOS Climate](https://plos.io/4aMFM6u). Many kinds of fishing gear, such as gillnets and traps, can entangle whales, injuring or even killing them. Before 2014, annual reported entanglements off the U.S. West Coast were below 10, but reports have risen, with 31 reported in 2024. Prior research has shown that, when sea surface temperatures rise, the area of cool water where whales feed shrinks and becomes compressed shoreward, where fishing activity is more intense—possibly boosting risk of entanglement. However, many entanglements are never detected, and when they are, it may be unclear where and when the whale first became entangled. Additionally, humpback populations have grown, which could boost entanglement numbers. Thus, the interplay of factors contributing to entanglement risk remains challenging for researchers to understand. To address this challenge, Santora and colleagues analyzed associations between reported [humpback entanglements](https://phys.org/news/2024-02-ai-photos-recovering-pacific-humpback.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal), population size, and changes in cool-water habitat area off the West Coast over the last 2.5 decades. They employed the Habitat Compression Index, a metric previously developed under Santora's leadership, which tracks changes in overall availability of cool-water habitat. They found that more humpback entanglements occurred during years with lower cool-water habitat areas, and that population growth alone was not enough to statistically explain the increases—especially during a [major marine heat wave](https://phys.org/news/2022-11-years-blob-santa-barbara-channel.html?utm_source=embeddings&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=internal) ("the blob") in 2015 and 2016. - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg) An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg) A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-2.jpg) An underwater view of a humpback whale in Monterey Bay, California, in May 2016. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) - ![Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800/2026/risk-of-whale-entangle-1.jpg) A trained team from the West Coast Large Whale Entanglement Response Program working to free an entangled gray whale off Orange County, California, in December 2017. Credit: West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, CC-BY 4.0 (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) These findings suggest the record number of entanglements—more than 40 confirmed—during that heat wave occurred not just because there were more whales, but also because of habitat compression. The findings also show that the Habitat Compression Index can predict ocean conditions up to a year in advance. Accordingly, the researchers recommend integrating the metric as an early warning system to aid fishery management decisions that could impact entanglement risk, such as fishing season timing and trap number limits. The authors add, "Habitat compression is a primary driver of entanglements. We found strong negative correlations between cool thermal habitat availability and entanglement reports. Years with low cumulative thermal habitat (high compression) consistently resulted in the highest number of entanglements across all US West Coast regions, making cHCI a critical predictor of both risk and detection. "Environmental shifts influence risk more than population growth. While population recovery contributes to baseline interactions, it does not explain extreme spikes (e.g., 2015–2016 and 2024). Analysis of 'excess entanglements' (residuals controlled for population size) confirmed that environmental conditions exacerbate risk significantly beyond density-dependent factors. "Additionally, our 'compression-assisted resolution' hypothesis suggests that extreme compression concentrates whales nearshore, artificially inflating recapture rates and explaining biologically implausible population growth estimates (\>30%) during heat waves. "Forecasting provides an early warning system. The cHCI effectively predicts ocean conditions 6–12 months in advance. For example, January 2024 forecasts correctly predicted the year's low thermal habitat, which coincided with a rise in entanglements to 31 reports. "Operationalizing a 'rate tracker' aids management. We recommend integrating cHCI into risk assessments as a 'rate tracker.' Monitoring thermal habitat accumulation during winter and spring enables managers to make strategic decisions regarding seasonal fishing activity and mitigation efforts." ###### Publication details Santora JA, et al. Whale entanglements disentangled through the lens of cumulative habitat compression.PLOS Climate (2026). [DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000723](https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000723) Citation: Risk of whale entanglement in fishing gear tied to size of cool-water habitat (2026, February 25) retrieved 26 March 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-02-whale-entanglement-fishing-gear-size.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
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