Rachel Lennon, lead author and PhD researcher at the University of Glasgow, said: “Fisheries interactions are recognised as a critical threat for marine mammals, especially for baleen whales in Scotland.
“As populations begin to recover from the impacts of historic whaling, reports of entanglement have increased.
“While determining the exact causes of strandings can be complex, identifying these emerging trends provides a vital starting point for targeting future research.”
A number of initiatives have been set up to tackle the threat of entanglements, including the Scottish Entanglement Alliance (Sea).
The coalition of conservation groups, rescue teams and fishermen has sought to find best practices to avoid entanglements, and the most effective responses to any incidents.