A federal judge has sentenced Alaskan fisherman Dugan Paul Daniels to six months in federal prison for attempting to kill an endangered sperm whale, underscoring the gravity of wildlife protection laws.

Daniels, who had previously agreed to the sentence as part of a plea agreement, was officially sentenced by the judge on March 11, 2025, according to the Alaska Beacon. The Coffman Cove, Alaska native also knowingly submitted false records about his commercial fishing activities, making it appear that he legally caught sablefish (black cod) in federal waters when he harvested fish illegally in Alaska state waters in Chatham Strait and Clarence Strait.

Interactions between fishing operations and marine wildlife often occur in Alaska. Sperm whales are attracted to black cod, which are easy prey for them but are also commonly caught by longline fishing vessels. The whales often interfere with black cod fishing activities, leading to significant economic losses.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has documented numerous instances of sperm whales learning to extract fish from longline gear, a behavior known as “depredation.” While this is a nuisance to fishermen, federal laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act prohibit harming these animals.

Daniel’s sentencing reminds us of fishermen's legal and ethical obligation to protect marine wildlife, regardless of the challenges posed to their livelihoods. The case emphasizes the importance of seeking non-lethal methods to mitigate wildlife interactions and adhering to federal regulations to preserve endangered species.

Fishermen are encouraged to collaborate with regulatory agencies to develop innovative solutions that protect their livelihoods and the marine ecosystems they depend on.