NOAA Fisheries has confirmed the fates of eleven killer whales found dead or seriously injured in Alaska in 2023.
Whilst the number of so-called ‘incidental’ takes is higher than in previous years, NOAA has stated that the numbers are below that which would pose a risk to long-term stock levels.
“Given the high level of incidental catches of killer whales in 2023, we knew it was important to move as quickly as possible to better understand whether these incidental takes pose a conservation concern to any of the potentially affected killer whale stocks,” said Robert Foy, director, Alaska Fisheries Science Center.
“As a result, we expedited processing and some procedures to complete genetic analysis as samples were received to provide some preliminary information on stock-specific impacts of these mortalities.”
NOAA has investigated the deaths through a combination of independent observer reports and photographs and by analysing samples taken from eight of the eleven killer whales.
Nine were caught by Bering Sea/Aleutian Island catcher processor vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear targeting flatfish. Six were killed by the gear, two were already dead and one was seriously injured.
A tenth was caught by a Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands catcher processor vessel using pelagic trawl gear to target pollock but was already dead when caught. The eleventh was caught by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center’s survey vessel during its annual assessment of sablefish and groundfish, the first time such an incident has occurred in the survey’s 30-year history.
NOAA says it will undertake further tests to fully assess the impact of all human-caused deaths and injuries along with exploring ways to reduce these interactions.
