Oceana Canada Calls on Fisheries and Oceans Canada to Mandate Ropeless Gear in High-Risk Areas After Another Right Whale Entanglement
Press Release Date: July 30, 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 require ropeless gear in high-risk areas for North Atlantic right whale entanglements by 2025. DFO reported that Dropcloth (right whale catalogue #1271), an adult male right whale, was spotted off the East Coast of Miscou Island, New Brunswick, with an entanglement on July 27, 2024. This is the second time Dropcloth has been sighted in Canada with an entanglement, the first being in July 2019. The entanglement was observed during a routine flight. 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 disentanglement. The origin of the fishing gear that entangled Dropcloth has yet to be determined.
Below is Oceana Canada’s response from campaign director Kim Elmslie:
“The news of another whale entangled in fishing gear is heartbreaking. With only 356 North Atlantic right whales left, and about 70 breeding-age females, this crisis must be stopped. Ropeless gear allows fishing activity to continue while preventing entanglements, removing webs of dangerous ropes from the path of migrating whales. Oceana Canada is calling on DFO to require ropeless gear by 2025 in areas that are the highest risk to right whales. In addition, DFO must continue ropeless gear trials, provide support for gear-lending programs and maintain the current system of fisheries closures when whales are present. Even minor entanglements can harm a right whale, leading to devastating injuries and death. The governments must do everything possible to immediately protect this critically endangered population, or Canada risks watching a whale species go extinct in our lifetime.”
Gib Brogan, campaign director for Oceana in the United States, said:
“More must be done to protect North Atlantic right whales from entanglements with fishing gear. Each entanglement creates stress for the whale which accelerates the species’ path to extinction. The U.S. and Canadian governments know what must be done to help save North Atlantic right whales. If the governments act in time, this species has a chance. If the governments don’t act fast, this may be the best-documented failure of species management of all time — a preventable catastrophe, unfolding over years. President Biden can act now by publishing the vessel speed rule to protect these whales from another top threat of boat strikes.”
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 the federal government 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.
