MISCOU, N.B. — A critically endangered North Atlantic right whale was spotted entangled in fishing gear on Saturday off the northeastern coast of New Brunswick.
The federal fisheries department says a team of scientists observed the animal among a group of right whales east of Miscou Island, N.B.
The scientists say the whale is an adult male known as Dropcloth, but they are uncertain of his age.
A news release says the department will "monitor the situation" and try to disentangle the whale if it is spotted again and weather conditions permit.
The department says it doesn't know where the fishing gear came from or what type it is.
The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most endangered large whale species in the world, with an estimated 360 remaining.
Saturday's sighting is the second time the adult whale has been spotted entangled in Canadian waters, the first being in July 2019.
Oceana, an international environmental organization, issued a statement saying the federal government should require ropeless fishing gear by 2025 in areas where there are high risks of entanglement for the whales.
“The news of another whale entangled in fishing gear is heartbreaking .... This crisis must be stopped," said Kim Elmslie, the campaign director of Oceana Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2024.
The Canadian Press
