Federal review flags concerns in efforts to protect right whales in Canada

Speed restrictions and fishing-zone closures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have lowered risks that the endangered whales will be harmed, but dangers remain -- especially in the waters outside protected zones, according to the national study.

Every single death is a major blow to the endangered species. Only about 400 whales remain on the planet and none of them are recorded to have had any babies last year. When it comes to the likelihood of these whales being struck by marine vessels, the scientists found mandatory speed restrictions implemented in 2017 in response to multiple whales washing up dead on Eastern Canadian shores did reduce the risk of lethal strikes by 56 per cent. Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots for vessels 20 metres or longer were enacted again last year and have been in place this year since April 28.

As for risks posed by fishing gear, the scientists noted right whales have been heavily concentrated in busy fishing areas of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the last three years. Fishing restrictions imposed in some of the areas where the whales have been most prevalent have helped, but whales continue to become entangled -- mainly in snow crab gear. There were at least two entanglements in 2016, seven in 2017 and at least three in 2018.

Surveillance and detection efforts have increased since 2017 -- including through listening for whale calls, aerial surveys and boat-based visual observations. But all of these methods have challenges in accuracy due to often challenging weather conditions and ambient noise.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Federal scientific review flags concerns in efforts to protect North Atlantic right whales in CanadaThe study says speed restrictions and fishing-zone closures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have helped to lower risks of injury and death to right whales, but dangers remain tell cathmckenna to STOP ALLOWING raw sewage into our rivers and oceans...used condoms ..used tampons and all the poisons being dumped daily .. is Killing our Whales.. “concerns” Poo Flush Cathy was unavailable for comment
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

New report says Canada should start adaptation measures to offset climate-change effectsLooking ahead over the next 20 years, the assessment found that climate change poses the biggest risks to physical infrastructure, coastal and northern communities, human health and wellness, ecosystems and to fisheries
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Arctic fox travels 3,500 km from Norway to Canada in only 76 daysA young Arctic fox has surprised scientists by walking from Norway to Canada in only 76 days, the species’ fastest journey of that length ever recorded. Good thing he didn't go through the US...probably would have been shot. Nature is amazing. What did the fox say when reaching Canada? 'Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding! Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding! Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!'
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Utilities, energy bonds rule in Canada in longer-duration worldThey’ve been given a boost this year by rising expectations that the Bank of Canada will eventually have to cut interest rates Your headline makes no sense.
Source: nationalpost - 🏆 10. / 80 Read more »

Arctic fox walks more than 4,400 kilometres from Norway to Canada, researchers sayThe Norwegian Polar Institute says the young female fox left Norway’s Svalbard archipelago on March 1 and reached Canada’s Ellesmere Island on Monday by way of Greenland But McKenna says there is no Arctic ice? Doth thine fox walk on water? If an artic fox can do it, so will the Russians. We need to build a wall to keep it out loll
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

HuffPost is now a part of Oath2 bad actors pretending to be politicians. As if Russia will take our PM seriously!!
Source: HuffPostCanada - 🏆 61. / 53 Read more »