Right whale protection measures ahead of migration season

Ottawa has announced its fishery vessel management measures meant to protect North Atlantic right whales ahead of this year’s migration season.

In a recent news release, the federal Fisheries Department said it will again implement seasonal and temporary fishing area closures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Bay of Fundy and critical habitat areas where right whales have previously been spotted.

Fisheries officials will also work with harvesters to help them transition to whale safe gear in 2023 while addressing the problem of ghost gear.

Transport Canada’s vessel traffic management measures will include speed restriction for vessels over 13 metres through most of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, protecting areas where whales are detected.

“With only about 336

North Atlantic right whales remaining in the world, our government is more than ever committed to protecting and supporting the recovery of this iconic species,” said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra.

“This is why we continue to incorporate the most recent research and analysis into our vessel traffic management measures, which cover an area of more than 72,000 square kilometres in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.”

In a separate statement, Oceana Canada campaign director Kim Elmslie called on the federal government to create permanent, mandatory protections for the endangered whales.

Elmslie said the organization was pleased to see protection measures aren’t being weakened, but hopes to see legally binding regulations implemented to protect right whales.