Summary
This study used systemic scar analysis to estimate the frequency of non-lethal entanglements among humpback whales off the coast of Iceland from 2005-2017. Results demonstrate that at least 24.8% of individuals had prior entanglement(s) when first encountered, and then subsequently acquired new entanglement-related injuries at an averafe rate of 1.9% per year; however, scar-based estimates usually underestimate the frequency of prior entanglements. At least some entanglements seem to have occurred locally.