Canada’s New Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy Key to Saving Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales
Press Release Date: February 4, 2026
Media contacts: Vaishali Dassani, Oceana Canada, vdassani@oceana.ca, 647-294-3335;
Rose-Marie Ménard, Pilot PMR, rosemarie.menard@pilotpmr.com, +1-579-622-9925
On February 3, 2026, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) released Canada’s Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy, a significant milestone that establishes a national framework to use fishing gear that can reduce deadly entanglements with whales like the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. The strategy sets out clear objectives and dated progress milestones — including entanglement risk assessments, the establishment of pilot areas for on-demand gear, and, if successful, a transition to on-demand fishing gear in high-risk areas of whale entanglements, which could allow healthy whale populations and sustainable fisheries to coexist.
This milestone follows years of work by the federal government, fish harvesters, Oceana Canada, ocean advocates, and others working together to reduce the risk of whale entanglements while ensuring fishing communities can continue to thrive.
Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales continue to face serious threats from entanglement in fishing gear. A four-year-old male, known as Division, recently died from injuries caused by entanglement. With 22 calves born so far this season and right whales soon returning to Canadian waters for the summer, the release of this strategy comes at a pivotal moment to chart a real path forward for protecting whales while supporting fisheries.
Hanna Vatcher, North Atlantic right whale campaigner, Oceana Canada said:
“It’s encouraging to see the work the government, harvesters, rights holders, stakeholders, and others have put into this strategy. It’s a concrete step forward, with clear process timelines, direction, and a real focus on solutions. Importantly, the strategy recognizes that protecting whales and supporting fishing communities must go hand in hand. By collaborating with harvesters and advancing practical whalesafe gear, Canada is taking a meaningful step toward fisheries that can thrive without putting endangered whales at risk.
“The strategy sets the pathway for steady, transparent progress. Delivering on it through implementation, sustained funding, and ongoing support will be critical to saving North Atlantic right whales from extinction.”
Key takeaways from Canada’s Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy include:
- DFO will complete an entanglement risk assessment for North Atlantic right whales in fixed-gear fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence by 2027.
- Pilot areas for the use of on-demand gear are expected to be established by 2027, moving beyond small-scale trials where technology has shown to be operationally effective.
- By 2028, DFO will expand on-demand gear areas in fisheries that pose the greatest entanglement risk, subject to pilot outcomes and fishery-specific considerations.
- Recognition of the importance of Indigenous knowledge, with rights-based fishery holders included in consultations and decision-making related to the use of whalesafe gear.
The strategy sets the stage for a collaborative, risk-informed approach that reflects Canada’s responsibility to protect North Atlantic right whales, keep fisheries prosperous, and safeguard our seafood trade.
Learn more about Oceana Canada’s campaign to protect right whales at Oceana.ca/ProtectWhales.
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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 Oceana.ca.
