Minister pledges to protect right whales
MONCTON, N.B. • Ottawa will bring “absolutely every protection to bear” to bolster right whales following 10 deaths in the Gulf of St. Lawrence since early June, says federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
LeBlanc told a Moncton, N.B., briefing Thursday that Canadians have been moved by the deaths and scientists are studying all potential measures.
“The government of Canada will bring all of the resources necessary,” he said.
LeBlanc recounted seeing 15 to 20 right whales Thursday morning while flying over an area east of Miscou Island in New Brunswick: “It was an absolutely majestic sight and a privilege for me to see these majestic creatures in a habitat for them that is relatively new.”
He said it’s believed 80 to 100 right whales are currently in the gulf and scientists believe similar numbers will be there next year as they search for plankton to feed on.
The Fisheries Department has already taken steps to prevent further deaths, including shortening the snow crab season and asking fishermen in the gulf to report any whale sightings.
LeBlanc said mariners have been asked to take voluntary measures such as slowing to 10 knots.
He said fishermen can also do such things as limiting the amount of rope they have on the water.
Collisions with ships and fishing gear entanglements are major threats for the whales.
A final report on the necropsies of several whales is not expected until mid-September and LeBlanc said that will inform final decisions on how to protect them.
He said he and Transport Minister Marc Garneau will look at all options, including a possible adjustment to shipping routes.
It’s estimated there are only about 500 North Atlantic right whales still living and Jerry Conway of the Canadian Whale Institute in Wilsons Beach, N.B., said the losses are disastrous for an already vulnerable species.
“This has had catastrophic ramifications on the right whale population, this number of whales being killed when we only know of three calves being born this year,” he said.
Megan Leslie, a former New Democrat MP who is now a WWF-Canada vicepresident, said LeBlanc and his officials should be applauded for their quick response to the whale deaths.
But Leslie said the government must also look to the long term by providing greater protected areas for marine life. She’s concerned the government may allow greater oil and gas exploration in the area where some of the dead whales have been spotted.
“If we’re allowing oil and gas exploration in that area, we will see more noise and increased traffic. I don’t see how they can square that circle of marine protection if we’re going to allow more marine traffic in that area,” she said.