In the United States alone, more than 5,000 marine mammals are killed by commercial fisheries every year. Some species are killed in numbers that threaten their populations. And in the heavy competition for disappearing fish populations, marine animals lose out.
Marine mammals, particularly seals and sea lions, are often blamed for eating fish that humans target. But over 5,000 marine mammals die in entanglements annually in the United States. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands are killed each year.
The dangers posed by commercial fishing include entanglement in nets and lines and hooks, which can drown animals or injure them to a point where they starve or die from infection.
Speak out if you hear marine mammals blamed for eating fish. And if you eat lobster, consider buying those caught in Massachusetts, which has stricter requirements to protect whales.
News & Events
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February 8, 2013
Humane Animal Advocacy Day Kicks Off in Hawaii
Hawaii animal protection organizations and residents concerned about animal welfare from across Hawaii converged on the state capitol for Humane Lobby Day in Honolulu on Friday to urge lawmakers to pass better laws to protect Hawaii’s pets and wildlife.
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November 14, 2012
The HSUS Applauds U.S. Coast Guard for Protecting Right Whales from Deadly Ship Strikes
The Humane Society of the United States commends the U.S. Coast Guard for launching “Operation Right Speed”– a program that reminds large vessels traveling through North Atlantic right whale migratory routes and calving grounds to slow down to prevent deadly ship strikes.
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November 13, 2012
"Minds in the Water": A Surfer Fights for Fellow Ocean Creatures
Follow champion surfer Dave Rastovich's fight to protect whales, dolphins, and other marine life in the documentary, "Minds in the Water."
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September 26, 2012
The HSUS Criticizes Federal Agency’s Decision to Delay Protecting Porpoises in Atlantic Waters
The HSUS criticizes a decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service that will lead to additional deaths of fall-migrating harbor porpoises by delaying closure of gillnet fishing in an area off the New England coast.
Our Victories
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May 16, 2013
California State Assembly Passes Groundbreaking Legislation to Require the Use of Non-Lead Ammunition in Hunting
Important legislation requiring the use of non-lead ammunition for hunting today passed the California State Assembly by a wide margin.
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May 15, 2013
Norfolk’s Operation Turtle Receives Humane Wildlife Stewardship Award
The Humane Society of the United States presented a Humane Wildlife Stewardship Award to participants of Operation Turtle, a public-private partnership that has saved the lives of hundreds of aquatic turtles and other wild animals.
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May 8, 2013
Court Upholds Calif. Law Preventing Cruel Trapping and Poisoning of Wildlife
A California court has upheld the constitutionality of Proposition 4, a 1998 state ballot measure banning use of cruel traps and poisons for the purpose of killing wildlife.
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April 19, 2013
Arkansas Legislative Session a Success for Animals
The Arkansas State Legislature passed a number of animal protection bills that were signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe this legislative session, receiving praise from The Humane Society of the United States.
