Summary
A computer model was produced to provide insight into how the Critically Endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) becomes entangled. It allows an anatomically accurate model of a NARW Population estimates of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale to "swim" into fishing pot ropes, that incorporate realistic physical properties and can generate measures of physical forces (such as rope tension). Modeled entanglement events showed that those involving the pectoral flippers with body wraps were more easily generated than entanglements involving the tailstock only. The simulator is intended as a tool for testing potential new gear configurations.