Anthropogenic activities and emerging threats to large whales in the Beagle Channel

Abstract

The interactions between marine mammals and anthropogenic activities are of growing global concern, with increasing evidence highlighting the various ways these species are impacted by human actions. While these interactions have changedover time, many species still face threats, particularly from accidental entanglements in fisheries, like the king crab fishery, and from vesselcollisions, often resulting in death or serious injury. We have gathered information on these interactions in the Beagle Channel, spanning the past 43 years for fishingrelated incidents and over 20 years for ship strikes. Although the frequency of interactions remains low, they have become more frequentin recent years, partly due to the recovery of marine mammal populations after thecessation of hunting, as well as the rise in marine activities. While fishing practices have not changed significantly, bycatch in king crab fishery remains a persistent risk, amplified by the increase of whales in the channel and potential conflicts with ship traffic. Our study highlights the need to strengthen the enforcement of regulations in the Beagle Channel, an area identified as high-risk for marine mammals, and advocates for the implementation of effective practices to mitigate bycatch, regulate marine traffic to reduce the risk of collisions, in orden toprotect marine mammal populations.