What action reduces entanglement risk around whales?

• A. Approach whales to inspect gear
• B. Cut all gear lines near you
• C. Tangle lines to mark area
• D. Avoid gear lines, report to authorities

Answer: (D)

Reducing the risk of entanglement comes from giving whales space and letting trained responders handle any gear in the water. The best action is to avoid gear lines and report their location to the appropriate authorities. By staying clear of lines, you minimize the chance of a whale becoming entangled and you avoid adding clutter or creating additional hazards in the area. Reporting gear ensures it can be identified, tracked, and safely removed by people with the right equipment and procedures.

Approaching whales to inspect gear can startle or stress them and often brings you into closer, riskier contact with lines. Cutting lines near you might free one whale but can create sharp, floating debris, shift entanglement risk to others, and is not a safe or effective way to manage the problem. Making extra tangled lines to mark off an area simply adds more potential hazards and lines for a whale to encounter.