Right Whales Returning to Canada Continue to Face Threats: Oceana Canada Calls for Ropeless Fishing Gear in High-Risk Areas
Press Release Date: May 29, 2025
Media contacts: Vaishali Dassani, Oceana Canada, vdassani@oceana.ca, 647-294-3335;
Erin Vande Ven, Oceana in the United States evandeven@oceana.org, 303-829-3877
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 whales, after the first entanglement of the year was reported in Canadian waters. The right whale was spotted by a vessel on May 27, 2025, in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, off the north shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary.
DFO, and other partners, will continue to monitor the situation to determine response options. If weather and sea conditions permit, efforts will be made to attempt a disentanglement. The origin and type of gear the right whale is entangled in has not been determined.
Below is Oceana Canada’s response from campaign director Kim Elmslie:
“It’s always encouraging to see North Atlantic right whales return to Canadian waters, but it’s devastating to see one entangled. This first entanglement of 2025 in Canadian waters is a grim reminder of the threat posed by vertical fishing lines to a whale population on the brink of extinction. Last year, 10 whales suffered entanglements — six of them first seen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence — although the origin of the fishing gear is unknown. We cannot afford more preventable harm. Over 86% of right whales show scars from past entanglements, and even a single rope can threaten a whale’s ability to survive or reproduce. Ropeless fishing gear is a proven solution that protects whales from entanglement while allowing fishers to continue harvesting. We are calling on DFO to require ropeless gear in areas with the highest risk of entanglement to right whales and support fishers who want to use this gear. Delaying action means another summer of whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence without a strategy to prevent entanglements. There’s no time to waste.”
Gib Brogan, campaign director for Oceana in the United States, said:
“Another right whale entanglement, another wake-up call. As we await more details — and hope for a successful effort to free this North Atlantic right whale from deadly rope — we must also look ahead. There are real opportunities, like ropeless gear, to make our oceans safer for whales while supporting strong and robust commercial fisheries. Even one entanglement is one too many for a species on the brink of extinction. The urgency is clear: Our leaders must do more now before we lose these whales forever.”
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 .
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 325 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.
