Humpback whale entangled in longline fishing gear | Megaptera novaeangliae | Tonga

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) entangled by longline fishing gear. This whale was still able to swim, but was very weak. The fishing line had immobilized both pectoral fins, slicing through them as is visible here. The whale was infested with whale lice (Cyamus boopis), and there were a number of large sharks trailing it, including tiger sharks and bronze whalers. Another healthy whale was accompanying this whale, though it was clearly unable to assist. This whale most likely died soon after this sighting.

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Filename: longline-fishing-gear-entanglement-humpback-whale-megaptera-novaeangliae-tonga-200908-0512.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form without prior written permission.
Image Size: 5200x3467 / 51.6MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Humpback Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Eutheria Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Megaptera novaeangliae Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Filter Feeder Endangered: IUCN Red List Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual South Pacific Tonga Vava'u Entanglement Fishing Longling Longline Fishing Crustacean Whale Lice Arthropod Crustacea Malacostraca Amphipoda Cyamidae Cyamus boopis
Contained in galleries: Ship Strikes, Strandings, Skeletons, Humpback Whales Underwater

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) entangled by longline fishing gear. This whale was still able to swim, but was very weak. The fishing line had immobilized both pectoral fins, slicing through them as is visible here. The whale was infested with whale lice (Cyamus boopis), and there were a number of large sharks trailing it, including tiger sharks and bronze whalers. Another healthy whale was accompanying this whale, though it was clearly unable to assist. This whale most likely died soon after this sighting.