Canadian government puts forward 2021 measures to protect the North Atlantic right whale

Determined to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale, the Government of Canada has taken steps towards this goal for the year ahead. Announced in February by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada, these strong measures are designed to help the recovery of the species, which now numbers only about 366 individuals worldwide.

The measures aim to reduce contact between North Atlantic right whales and vessels as well as fishing gear. They include some of the steps undertaken in 2020, such as closing fishing areas where right whales are known to be present, and limiting vessel speeds in a large part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Fines will be imposed on those not respecting these requirements. The new initiatives include the creation of a technical working group to ensure the continuous improvement of the measures being taken.

Read about the 2021 measures.