Humpback whale suffers fatal jaw injuries after entanglement in Oregon

A humpback whale has suffered life-threatening injuries after becoming entangled in abandoned fishing nets off the coast of Newport, Oregon. Although a rescue team consisting of experts, rescuers, and a local fisherman successfully freed the animal using the vessel F/V Michele Ann, its survival is considered unlikely.

The entanglement caused severe damage to the whale's jaw, leaving it permanently unable to close its mouth. Because humpback whales rely on a specific feeding technique involving rapid jaw movements to swallow prey like sardines and herring, the inability to close its mouth prevents it from consuming food.

The whale was spotted by U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilots approximately 30 km from the North American coast. Researchers from Oregon State University identified the individual, noting it had previously been sighted near the coast of British Columbia, Canada, in 2024. The incident highlights the ongoing danger posed by drifting or abandoned fishing gear to marine life.