North Atlantic Right Whale Statement

North Atlantic right whale statement on behalf of Oceana Canada, Ecology Action Centre, Sierra Club Canada Foundation, World Wildlife Fund Canada, International Fund for Animal Welfare and Humane Society International/Canada.

North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered whales on the planet. With approximately 400 of these animals left, and fewer than 100 reproductive females, the death of any right whale is one too many. Since June, there have been six deaths in Canadian waters, four of which were breeding females. The cause of death for three whales has been confirmed as blunt force trauma consistent with ship strikes.

We are pleased that Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada announced enhanced management measures to protect right whales. The fatalities in 2019 may be on a similar trajectory to 2017, when 12 whales were found dead in Canadian waters. Continuing along this path will be devastating to right whales’ chance of survival. No one wants to see the crisis continue and additional actions are necessary.

We are calling on the Canadian government to avoid any further right whale deaths by implementing the following immediate actions:

In addition to addressing the immediate crisis, the Canadian government must update laws, regulations and policies to provide long-term protection to right whales, including: