Tell the Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Transport to Fully Implement the Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy and Secure Permanent Protections to Save North Atlantic Right Whales
North Atlantic right whales are on the brink of extinction. With only around 380 individuals left, this iconic species could disappear within our lifetime without stronger government action.
Fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes are the leading causes of death and serious injury for right whales — and both are preventable. In recent years, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Transport Canada have taken important steps to reduce these risks, but current protections still rely on temporary annual measures.
These actions show that protection is possible. But the gains remain fragile and reversible because the measures are renewed year‑to‑year. To prevent extinction, Canada must replace interim measures with long-term, enforceable solutions that prevent harm before it occurs.
Reducing Entanglements
Right whales are often unintentionally entangled in vertical fishing ropes — a threat that is frequently fatal. To reduce the risk, DFO closes fishing grounds when they are present.
While these closures help protect whales, they also disrupt Canada’s most valuable trap-based fisheries, including snow crab and lobster, creating ripple effects for coastal communities, the seafood sector, and trade. Canada needs permanent solutions to protect whales and provide certainty for fishers.
DFO’s newly released Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy charts a clear path forward. Whalesafe fishing technologies, such as on-demand (ropeless) gear, eliminate vertical ropes in the water and significantly reduce entanglement risk — allowing fishing to continue safely in high‑risk areas.
Temporary fishing closures are not a long‑term solution. Canada must require on-demand gear in high‑risk fisheries, with mandatory, enforceable implementation beginning now and completed within two years, to prevent deadly entanglements before they happen.
Reducing Ship Strikes
Ship strikes are a major threat to North Atlantic right whales, but they are preventable. Slower ships and less overlap between vessels and whales are proven ways to save lives.
Transport Canada has taken meaningful steps, including creating a restricted zone in the Gulf of St. Lawrence where large numbers of right whales are found. However, where slowdown measures remain voluntary — such as in the Cabot Strait, a key migratory corridor — compliance is low, and whales remain at risk.
Right whales cannot afford half-measures. Canada needs mandatory, permanent vessel slowdown rules wherever right whales are present in Canadian waters.
Help save right whales from extinction. Tell the government to fully implement the Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy, expand the restricted zone, and make all vessel slowdowns mandatory.