Infographic: Protecting North Atlantic right whales

Whales can be injured or killed when they become entangled in fishing gear.

We are adapting our fisheries to respond to the whales’ unpredictable distribution

On alert

• Hydrophones (underwater microphones) will help us detect the presence of whales within an area.
• Surveillance flights will be conducted regularly to determine the presence of right whales, and ensure compliance with fishery closures.

Temporary closure area (dark blue)

Fixed-gear fisheries (including crab and lobster) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy will be closed in a designated area for 15 days when a whale is detected.

Season-long closures

Season-long closures will be in place in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. When whales are detected in an area more than once during a 15-day period, designated areas will be closed to fishing until November 15, 2020.

Critical habitats

• Grand Manan Basin
• Roseway Basin

Map

• Quebec
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador