Oceana Canada Urges DFO to Require Ropeless Gear in High-Risk Areas After New Right Whale Entanglement
Press Release Date: September 20, 2024
Media contacts: Vaishali Dassani, Oceana Canada, vdassani@oceana.ca, 647-294-3335;
Megan Jordan, Oceana in the United States, mjordan@oceana.org, 202-868-4061
Ottawa, Canada/ Washington, DC — Oceana Canada is calling on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to implement ropeless gear in high-risk areas for North Atlantic right whales after, yet another entangled right whale was seen in Canadian waters. The female whale was confirmed by the New England Aquarium as Chiminea. She was spotted with an entanglement off Anticosti Island by a Transport Canada aerial surveillance team on Wednesday, September 18.
DFO and other partners will continue to monitor the situation to determine response options and, if weather and sea conditions allow, efforts will be made to attempt a disentanglement. The type of gear Chiminea is entangled in or where it came from is not yet known.
Below is Oceana Canada’s response from campaign director Kim Elmslie:
“Chiminea’s entanglement is a grim reminder that North Atlantic right whales are on the verge of extinction and the urgent need for government action. This critically endangered species has faced a catastrophic 2024 with a loss of nine whales so far. Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the leading threats for right whales. Although disentanglement crews are standing by to try and help her, even a minor entanglement can limit her ability to reproduce. A shocking 86% of right whales bear scars from entanglements. With only about 356 North Atlantic right whales left, including around 70 breeding females the government must do more. Using ropeless gear is a solution that removes the risk of entanglement for the whales and allows fish harvesters access to closed fishing areas.”
Gib Brogan, campaign director for Oceana in the United States, said:
“It’s been quite a dire year for North Atlantic right whales. News of Chiminea’s entanglement in Canada – one of many known entanglements this year – is a tragic reminder that our governments are failing when it comes to protecting a critically endangered species. Entanglement in fishing gear remains a top threat to North Atlantic right whales and Chiminea could be swimming free today if proper protections were in place. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is long overdue at establishing effective safeguards for North Atlantic right whales that prevent entanglements and simultaneously allow fisheries to operate in a truly sustainable way. The mounting number of entanglements that keep stacking up is frustratingly irresponsible and preventable.”
Oceana Canada was established as an independent charity in 2015 and is part of the largest international advocacy group dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana Canada has successfully campaigned to ban single-use plastics, end the shark fin trade, make rebuilding depleted fish populations the law, improve the way fisheries are managed and protect marine habitat. We work with civil society, academics, fishers, Indigenous Peoples and governments to return Canada’s formerly vibrant oceans to health and abundance. By restoring Canada’s oceans, we can strengthen our communities, reap greater economic and nutritional benefits, and protect our future. Find out more at www.oceana.ca
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
