Whale entanglements have been on the rise. Large animals including whales, porpoise, sharks and tuna, have been feeding closer to shore because the food they like to eat is close to shore. Warming water has brought a robust forage profile of mackerel and herring of all types, silversides, sand ells, scup, squid and much more here in greater abundance all at the same time. And large animals are here feeding.

This puts these animals in closer contact with humans, including vessels that create enhanced ship strikes as well as in greater contact with lines from fixed gear such as lobster pots, gill nets, other fishing gear, and marine debris. 

And now the news gets worse.

NOAA Fisheries has released the National Report on Large Whale Entanglements Confirmed in the United States in 2024. There were 95 confirmed large whale entanglement cases nationally in 2024. This is higher than the 64 confirmed large whale entanglement cases in 2023. It is also above the average annual number of confirmed entanglements over the previous 17 years, which was 71.4. 

In an advisory earlier this week NOAA Fisheries said, “We will continue to analyze data from 2024 to understand what factors contributed to the increase and whether this increase is temporary or part of a longer-term trend… Entanglements involving threatened or endangered species can have significant negative impacts on the population as a whole. Whales unable to free themselves can carry the entanglement for days, months, or even years. Entanglements often interfere with swimming, feeding, breathing, and other vital functions. Severe entanglements can cause injuries that result in death from infection, starvation, amputation (such as flippers or flukes), blood loss, strangulation, or drowning.”

Scientists and managers use entanglement data to determine the impact of entanglement on individual whales and on populations. They look at different aspects of each entanglement case, including severity, configuration of entanglement on the animal, gear type or debris and injury impact. Experts use these criteria to evaluate existing management measures and implement new management measures to reduce the threat of entanglement to large whales.

The U.S. Large Whale Entanglement Response Network relies on entanglement reports from the public. However, you should not attempt to disentangle whales yourself—call authorized professional responders instead, from Maine through Virginia call (866) 755-NOAA (866-755-6622).

Giant bluefin tuna 

fishery closes

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category (commercial Fishery closed September 18, 2025, 11:30 p.m. until September 30, 2025. The reason for the closure is that based on best available landings information, the General category September sub quota is projected to be reached shortly.

In an advisory this week NOAA Fisheries, said, “This closure affects Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna.”

Commercial fishers aboard vessels with an Atlantic Tunas General category or Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna from 11:30 p.m., September 18, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Previously designated restricted-fishing days for the rest of the September time period will be waived when this closure takes effect.

The recreational bluefin tuna fishery is already closed for the season, for information visit NMFS Permit Shop. 

Where’s the bite?

“Freshwater fishing for largemouth hast been good. Customers continue to target them with shiners, and all are waiting for the first fall stocking of trout in area water ways which should take place next week,” said Dave Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence.  

Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box, Warwick, said, “The freshwater largemouth bass bite has been outstanding.  Gorton’s Pond in Warwick has consistently been producing for anglers.”

Striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore. Bluefish, bonito and stiped bass are being caught at the Cape Cod Canal. East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “ Surfcaster “Bull” MacKinnon got into a topwater bite toward the beginning of last week that produced 4 striped bass weighing 18 to 21 pounds that attacked his 3-ounce Wally’s pencil on an early east tide, then added to his success on the weekend with 4 more bass, a bluefish and a couple of bonito. 

Ben “The Potato Manager” Sivonen ended the weekend with a nice bonito on a Hogy white Epoxy jig during an afternoon rising east tide.”  

Henault of Ocean State Tackle, Providence, said, “The false albacore and bonito bite has been very good. It started off Narragansett but now is in South Kingstown and west towards Westerly and spread east to Newport, Middletown and off the Sakonnet. Striped bass fishing has been good too. Suggest anglers use smaller but heavier epoxy and resin jigs (two ounces) to get better distance on their casts rather than using a large soft or hard plastic lure as they are hitting small bait.”   

Declan O’Donell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Bass continue to move in and out of the salt ponds, and the bite around Block Island remains strong. Shark numbers have decreased, making for easier fishing. The breachways have been active at night on the outgoing tide, with reports of nice fish caught on Mag Darters and SuperStrike Needle Fish. The topwater bite has been good at first light off the rocks and beaches.” 

“We have had a strong bluefish bite in the Bay.  They pop up here and there fairly consistently. And, a reel treat for anglers the false albacore are in the Bay.  In the Warwick and Cranston area too,” said Tom Giddings of the Tackle Box.

“Tautog fishing remains fairly storm for anglers out in front of Newport. Turbid water created by rough seas slowed the bite last week but with things settling down tautog fishing should pick up,” said Henault of Ocean State Tackle. 

“Anglers have been catching keeper tautog in the Bay for three weeks now. The fishing is good in the mid and upper Bay too. Rocky Point Pier has been excellent,” said Giddings of the Tackle Box. 

O’Donnell of Breachway Bait said, “Reports vary on which depths are producing better. More often than not, moving water is key, and once you get a bite going, you’re off to the races. Single hook rigs and jigs are performing well. Try using the lightest weight possible while maintaining constant contact with the seafloor. There are still some seabass and scup happy to take your crab bait.”

Dave Monti holds a captain’s master license and charter fishing license. He serves on a variety of boards and commissions and has a consulting business focusing on clean oceans, habitat preservation, conservation, renewable energy, and fisheries related issues. Forward fishing news and photos to dmontifish@verizon.net, visit www.noflukefishing.blogspot.com or www.noflukefishing.com