The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration documented 95 large whales entangled in fishing gear in the United States in 2024, including 17 off the coast of Massachusetts. Entanglements in fishing gear can injure and kill whales, and are among the top threats to North Atlantic right whales, which are in danger of extinction. (Luis Robayo/AFP via Getty Images)The NOAA list of entangled animals also included four North Atlantic right whales. The report does not include six entangled right whales spotted in Canada in 2024, or others that may have died or freed themselves before being counted. An endangered North Atlantic right whale entangled in fishing rope with a newborn calf in waters near Cumberland Island, Ga. Dec. 2, 2021.