Entanglement in fishing gear, according to Whale Wise, may be the greatest modern threat to humpback whale populations across the globe. Fishing lines and nets drifting unseen through the water can ensnare a whale’s massive body, cutting into flesh, restricting movement, and preventing essential behaviours like feeding.

Many never escape, dying slowly from exhaustion, drowning, or starvation. Even for survivors, the scars remain – deep, pale lines that spiral around fins and flukes, marking years of endurance and pain. Each scar tells a story of struggle, of life fought for and barely won.

Each flight captures more than images. It gathers silent evidence of survival and suffering, aerial portraits that reveal the toll of entanglement on the whales’ bodies and lives. By studying these images, researchers are uncovering how often whales become entangled and how these encounters affect their long-term health and fitness. The knowledge gained will guide policy recommendations to regional management bodies, strengthening protection and welfare measures for these vulnerable ocean wanderers.