Map locations of dead whales (courtesy DFO)
Federal officials shared more grim news about the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale on Thursday night – a sixth dead whale has been found so far this year.
During an aerial surveillance flight, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans says the whale was sighted Thursday drifting off the Gaspe Peninsula.
DFO says the recovery and necropsy options are currently being considered.
Transport Canada has already announced a precautionary measure which requires larger vessels to lower their speed to 10 knots in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence.
During a news conference this afternoon, Transport Canada noted evidence has shown that lowering the speed of vessels reduces the chance of whale fatalities by 70 percent.
Spokesperson Michelle Sanders said many in the fishing industry have been keeping an eye out for the large mammals.
“We work very closely with many of the industry associations. They have been very proactive in taking measures to ensure their vessels do not strike a whale and they have actually proactively reported when they do see a whale.”
Sanders said the western Gulf region was chosen for lower speeds since many Right Whales have been gathering in that area and the measure will hopefully prevent further interactions with vessels.
Apart from the deaths, officials says no other Right Whales have been reported in distress or getting entangled with fishing gear this year.
DFO noted the results of the necropsy on the first whale were inconclusive but a necropsy on the second whale showed it was likely struck by a vessel.
A necropsy on the third whale is planned Friday in Prince Edward Island.
The fourth whale was too badly decomposed for a necropsy and little information is yet known about the fifth whale.
DFO estimates the current Right Whale population is about 410.
