Coasts & Oceans
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Press Releases
2025-12-05
Get all the Canadian Wildlife Federation press releases on a variety of wildlife topics and issues.
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Statement by Sean Brillant, Canadian Wildlife Federation Senior Conservation Biologist –Marine Programs on North Atlantic Right Whale Mortality
2025-12-05
The survival of North Atlantic right whales is going to require support from all Canadians, and CWF will continue to work with all partners to lead initiatives to support emergency response, conduct research to reduce entanglement risks and raise awareness about this majestic part of our Canadian marine heritage.
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Aquatic Habitat Canada partnership announced in celebration of Environment Week and Rivers to Oceans Week
2025-12-05
A national network for aquatic habitat protection and restoration is being created to help governments, local communities, Indigenous organizations, industry stakeholders and conservation organizations more effectively protect and restore healthy and resilient aquatic ecosystems.
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Fisheries Act Updates Improve Conservation of Canada’s Oceans, Lakes and Rivers
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is celebrating the passage of several updates to the Fisheries Act which improve the conservation of our oceans, lakes and rivers.
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CWF encouraged but cautious about new measures to conserve right whales
2025-12-05
The federal government’s new measures to conserve right whales are well founded and we are hopeful they will prevent another mortality crisis; however, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is urging the development of a ‘Plan B’.
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CWF to host 2017 national conservation summit to explore innovative approaches to wildlife conservation
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is calling Canadians to help chart a path forward for innovative actions to ensure abundant wildlife and habitat for future generations.
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The Canadian Wildlife Federation launches Hinterland Who’s Who videos about Pacific Salmon as researchers analyze new data
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to release a new Hinterland Who’s Who (HWW) series of videos about Pacific Salmon as research on the migration patterns of these amazing fish continues.
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CWF is encouraged by federal budget support for oceans and freshwater
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) welcomes the federal government’s investment in ocean protection, freshwater conservation and aquatic invasive species management in the budget announced today. However, CWF continues to urge governments to address and prioritize conservation issues for the health, economic, social and spiritual well-being of Canadians.
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CWF encouraged by federal efforts to protect Right Whales but calls for long term strategies to prevent future disasters
2025-12-05
– The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased by the federal government’s prompt interventions to reduce threats to critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales. But while the new mandatory shipping speed limits and fines may reduce mortalities temporarily, CWF continues to call for long-term and proactive efforts to reduce threats in future years.
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Community Notices
2025-12-05
Nominations are now being accepted for the Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards, a national recognition program which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018. There are nine award categories to highlight the contributions of volunteers, professionals and projects dedicated to environmental stewardship
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CWF issues statement on North Atlantic Right Whale necropsy reports
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has reviewed the necropsy reports for the tragic multiple deaths of North Atlantic Right Whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence this summer and is continuing its call for increased long-term efforts to improve knowledge of the movements of these animals in the region.
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CWF Launches Sustainable Packaging Petition as Plastic Pollution Continues to Threaten Wildlife
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is launching a new petition urging the federal government to reduce plastic litter by advancing sustainable packaging initiatives.
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Helping endangered eels in Ottawa River
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation, Carleton University and Energy Ottawa have joined together to study the American eel, an endangered species native to the Ottawa region. The group received a $122,000 grant from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Ontario Species at Risk Stewardship Fund for vital research.
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Investments in Important Actions Will Help Reduce Threats to North Atlantic Right Whales and Other Marine
2025-12-05
Today’s remarks by federal Fisheries Minister Dominic Leblanc about the recent deaths of 10 of the remaining 522 North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence reflect our national concern regarding the conservation of these majestic animals that are in grave danger of going extinct in our lifetime.
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CWF Launches Campaigns to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Prevent Right Whale Entanglement during Rivers to Oceans Week June 8-14
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is launching new campaigns to reduce plastic pollution and prevent right whale entanglement during Rivers to Oceans Week June 8-14.
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CWF celebrates Canada’s historic transformation in marine conservation, recognizing that more strategies will be needed to protect Right Whales and other at risk species
2025-12-05
Canada now has an official marine mammal response program thanks to new federal funding and the continued and united efforts of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and regional response networks in BC, Quebec and Atlantic Canada who make up the Canadian Marine Animal Response Alliance (CMARA).
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Protecting Marine Mammals
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) expects the federal government to rise to its responsibilities for the conservation of marine mammals as a new report is unveiled by the Commissioner of the Environment tomorrow.
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Young Adults Help New Brunswick Flood Victims
2025-12-05
After helping Fredericton homeowners during the floods, the newest recruits in the Canadian Conservation Corps are planning additional community service and conservation projects across Canada.
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CWF sees a brighter future for Canada’s freshwater and marine wildlife thanks to proposed changes to Fisheries Act
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) predicts a brighter future for Canada’s oceans, lakes, and rivers and the species that inhabit them thanks to the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act.
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CWF launches its own G7 strategies for Rivers to Oceans Week
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is hoping more Canadians put a wrap on single use plastics during Rivers to Oceans Week June 8-14 as part of its group of seven strategies for freshwater and marine conservation.
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CWF Calls for Nominations for 2025 Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the prestigious Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards.
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New CWF program helps Atlantic fish harvesters transition to whalesafe gear
2025-12-05
HALIFAX, N.S. July 28, 2022 – The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce that it has received $4.4 million from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund to establish the CanFish gear lending program to help recover the North Atlantic Right Whale while sustaining commercial fisheries.
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Media Advisory: CanFishGear.ca
2025-12-05
Media are invited to a behind the scenes tour of the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s (CWF) CanFish warehouse for special announcements and updates about the new gear lending program.
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CWF supports the federal government’s strengthened climate plan, which benefits both the environment and the economy
2025-12-05
CWF supports development of government policy and legislation, industry action and consumer actions to reduce emissions to a level that meets Canada’s commitment to the global target to not exceed a 1.5 degree increase in the average temperature of the planet.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation Welcomes New Measures To Reduce Risks to North Atlantic Right Whales
2025-12-05
Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada announced the measures that will be in place in 2021 to reduce the risks to North Atlantic right whales from fishing and shipping. Building on measures from 2020, CWF is encouraged by new additional measures to help protect this endangered species.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation and Scales Nature Park Launch the S.T.A.R.T. Muskoka Turtle Project on #WorldTurtleDay!
2025-12-05
This #WorldTurtleDay, May 23, 2014, the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is pleased to announce it will be working with the Scales Nature Park for the delivery of the Saving Turtles At Risk Today (START) Muskoka Turtle Project, an exciting turtle conservation program in the Muskoka region.
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Canadian Wildlife Foundation and Rogers Foundation Work to Conserve Canadian Waterways
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Foundation, the fundraising arm of the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), is pleased to announce more than half a million in new funding from the Rogers Foundation.
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START MUSKOKA TURTLE PROJECT FAMILY FUN EVENT
2025-12-05
August 14, 2014 – Seven of the eight turtle species in Muskoka are at-risk. The Canadian Wildlife Federation has partnered with a local, like-minded organization Scales Nature Park to launch the Saving Turtles At Risk Today (S.T.A.R.T.) Muskoka Turtle Project to help these at-risk turtles.
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Top 10 Species Finds on iNaturalist.ca
2025-12-05
iNaturalist Canada (also known as iNaturalist.ca) has hit a major milestone – more than 1 million verifiable observations in Canada. These confirmed sightings span from Canada’s East Coast to the western edges of British Columbia, and from Southern Saskatchewan all the way up to the most northern reaches of the country.
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Modernizing the Fisheries Act
2025-12-05
Canada’s Fisheries Act has now been re-jigged and cast to the Senate for final review before becoming law
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Hope vs. rope: Can technology save the whales, and Maine's lobster industry, too?
2025-12-05
The technology is currently being tested in Narragansett Bay, more than 120 miles from Maine. Capotosto and Vincent are building pre-production units for NOAA and the Canadian Wildlife Federation to test this summer. The business partners believe they'll be ready for high-speed, high-volume manufacturing next year.
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Help Save Our Birds From Plastic Pollution
2025-12-05
It is no secret that plastic pollution is a massive threat to our wildlife.
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Ditch the Pesticides to Save Our Waters!
2025-12-05
As Rivers to Oceans Week comes to a close, we are ending with your garden and a nasty pesticide that’s commonly used: Neonicotinoids.
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The Next Extinction Level Event — Is It Already Here?
2025-12-05
Are we witnessing a mass extinction?
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Ghost Gear: The Phantom Threat Beneath the Waves
2025-12-05
If there’s something strange haunting the ocean deep, who you gonna call? Ghost Gearbusters!
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CWF Senior Conservation Manager Comments on Atlantic Fisheries Closure - Video
2025-12-05
Closure to take effect in several areas today after North Atlantic Right Whales spotted
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Ghost gear complicates whale migrations and rescues
2025-12-05
As scientists try to disentangle three North Atlantic right whales, DFO and the Coast Guard are out looking for lost fishing gear. Six whale deaths have been reported since early June. Sean Brillant is a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
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Is ropeless fishing ready for prime time?
2025-12-05
As the North Atlantic right whale population declines rapidly, regulators have proposed or enacted a series of closures of significant areas of lobster fishing grounds off the coast of New England and Atlantic Canada to protect the endangered whales from entanglement from traditional lobster trap lines. NOAA officials estimate there are several million vertical lines in the whale’s path in the region.
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‘It’s critical’: new film examines plight of endangered North Atlantic right whales
2025-12-05
When journalist Nadine Pequeneza started working on her new documentary Last of the Right Whales, she had never seen one up close in its natural habitat.
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Fishing Industry and Others Look to Gear Innovations to Reduce Whale Deaths
2025-12-05
Promising innovations in lobster and crab gear could reduce whale entanglements while still sustaining local economies and traditional cultures. To learn more, Peter Baker, who directs The Pew Charitable Trusts’ work on this issue, spoke with Sean Brillant, senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, and Elizabeth Baker, fisheries engagement specialist with the federation.
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First right whales in Gulf of St. Lawrence trigger some fisheries closures
2025-12-05
North Atlantic right whales made their first appearance of 2020 in Canadian waters last weekend, prompting an immediate but temporary closure of fixed-gear fisheries in the area under new federal rules trying to protect the highly endangered animals.
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Has this researcher built a better lobster trap?
2025-12-05
Sean Brilliant is developing new trap systems, to reduce entanglements while meeting needs of fishers. ‘These things work, it’s not science fiction.’
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Why Atlantic Canada's lucrative seafood industry is concerned about Elizabeth Warren
2025-12-05
Environmentalist Sean Brillant of the Canadian Wildlife Federation defends the measures. "I believe the actions that have been taken and are continuing to be taken by Canada are sound and deserve some acknowledgement that these are good decisions," he said.
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Endangered and entangled: Dal researchers' experience highlights the importance of protecting rare right whales
2025-12-05
Sarah Fortune was high atop the fly bridge of a snow crab boat, searching for endangered North Atlantic right whales, when she and research colleague Heather Foley noticed something odd about one of the animals they were tracking northwest of P.E.I. in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
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5 Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Footprint at Your Favourite Fast Food Joint
2025-12-05
Plastic is everywhere. Some of it is important – think medical equipment, but others are just wasteful.
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Is this Transport Canada policy too slow for at-risk whales?
2025-12-05
Protecting the North Atlantic right whale population requires a mandatory slowdown for vessels in the Cabot Strait, says Oceana Canada. In early 2020, Transport Canada introduced a voluntary slowdown to protect the critically endangered species, but the majority of vessels are not complying, Oceana Canada found.
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How Understanding the Distribution of Fishing Gear Can Help Protect Whales
2025-12-05
Entanglement of marine animals in commercial fishing gear is unfortunately not a new problem.
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Innovative ropeless fishing gear helps prevent whale entanglements
2025-12-05
When fishing zones get closed down due to whale sightings, fish harvesters now have a new place to turn. Can Fish is a program set up by the Canadian Wildlife Federation to allow fishers to test out and use groundbreaking ropeless technology for free.
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Endangered Right Whales Fetured In Compelling Documentary
2025-12-05
A 92-minute documentary from 2021 called “Last of the Right Whales” brings a life-or-death message to the forefront.
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What Does #GivingTuesday Mean for Wildlife (and You)?
2025-12-05
It’s #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is a day when we think not of packages and bows, but of those in need this season.
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Endangered right whale movements in Gulf of St. Lawrence in 2023 ‘completely different’ IG News
2025-12-05
Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales arrived in the Gulf of St. Lawrence later than usual in 2023 and are showing up in places they’ve never been seen before, according to fishermen, scientists and Canadian fisheries managers.
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Two-day Halifax fishing gear summit aims to reduce right whale entanglement
2025-12-05
A total of 250 stakeholders will participate in the two-day summit, which kicked off on Tuesday. It will include panel discussions, exhibits, and other programming that focuses on reducing fishing gear interactions with marine mammals — especially the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
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To protect Canada’s whales, scientists are eavesdropping on the oceans
2025-12-05
By using AI and drone boats to track whale populations, the hope is it will be easier to keep them safe.
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Are we doing enough to protect Canada's wildlife?
2025-12-05
The United Nations warns that 1 million species worldwide are at risk of extinction
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Scientists race to prevent extinction of Atlantic whitefish in Nova Scotia
2025-12-05
Researchers whisking away juvenile fish from the wild to a federal hatchery
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Transport Canada slashes flight hours for right whale detection
2025-12-05
The Canadian government has cut back on an important measure that detects critically endangered North Atlantic right whales and triggers protective measures.
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The futures of right whales and lobstermen are entangled. Could high-tech gear help save them both?
2025-12-05
Entanglements are a leading cause of death for endangered North Atlantic right whales. Removing fishing lines from the ocean could help minimize this risk — but only if lobstermen get on board, experts say.
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Why right whale extinction is on the horizon
2025-12-05
Despite the attention paid to every death, we can’t figure out how to save right whales from our deadly waters.
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Right whale deaths prompt call for Canadian snow crab import ban in U.S.
2025-12-05
9 U.S. environmental groups seeking ban
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The 10 best travel apps to plan your next vacation
2025-12-05
iNaturalist.ca was featured recently in the Ottawa Citizen as one of the best travel apps.
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The Plight of the Southern Resident Killer Whales
2025-12-05
Four threats that have led the population to the brink of extinction
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The Growing Threat of Microplastics to Marine Giants
2025-12-05
Did you know that a staggering 92 per cent of the 5.25 trillion plastic particles floating on our oceans are microplastics? These tiny particles originate from various sources: microbeads in beauty products, synthetic fibers from clothing, tires, city dust, and the breakdown of larger plastic debris.
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Will ‘ropeless’ fishing gear be seaworthy in time to save endangered whales?
2025-12-05
The report came in from naturalists aboard a whale-watching boat: A 4-year-old whale calf was entangled in fishing rope. He appeared thin, and lesions mottled his body. A few days later, on Oct. 19, 2020, the aerial survey team was finally able to take off in their plane. From high above in their Cessna Skymaster, they scanned the waters below for the calf, taking advantage of a fog-free autumn day when the winds off the Cape Cod coast had tapered to a breeze.
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Update: Entangled right whale resighted among 60 south of Nantucket
2025-12-05
The good news, the entangled right whale has been spotted again south of Nantucket. The bad news, the right whale is still entangled and has been for weeks. The Center of Coastal Studies have been monitoring the case and are waiting for an opportunity and the conditions to improve (high winds) to disentangle the whale.
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They're dying because we're killing them': Documentary hopes to help save right whales
2025-12-05
If a key weapon in the battle to save the North Atlantic right whale is public awareness, the filmmakers and subjects behind a new documentary are on the front lines.
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Whales Are Back in BC. But Fishing Gear Is Killing Them
2025-12-05
Solutions do exist. ‘It would be great if we could put me out of a job,’ says the coast’s only trained disentangler.
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When It Comes to Ships, Does Size Matter?
2025-12-05
When it comes to ships, does size play a part in the damage they can do to whales?
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North Atlantic right whales in crisis - and the people risking lives to save them
2025-12-05
Once hunted to near extinction, North Atlantic right whales are now facing new human threats that could end the species. Here are the people risking their lives to save them.
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How We Took Positive Steps in Helping the American Eel This Summer
2025-12-05
This year, the Canadian Wildlife Federation Aquatic Science Team conducted research on American Eel in the Ottawa River. Our research has focused on the downstream migratory routes the eels take while passing the Chaudière Falls Generating Station in the heart of Ottawa.
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Transitioning to on-demand gear can ensure a sustainable future for lobster and crab fisheries and protect whales.
2025-12-05
The critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (NARW) faces deadly threats from both vessel strikes and entanglement in rope lines, which stem from crab and lobster traps and pots in areas that overlap with their habitat. Eighty-two percent of North Atlantic right whales bear scars from entanglements with fishing gear and ship strikes.
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Why Whales Matter
2025-12-05
he giants in our oceans contribute significantly to the marine ecosystem, both in life and in death. While they swim across the planet’s oceans, whales’ nutrient dense excrement provide sustenance to many species. And when they stop swimming, their carcasses become rich feeding grounds for many other creatures. And as surprising as it may seem, these ocean giants might even play a part in fighting climate change. Is there anything these titans can’t do?
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The Tides of Change for Endangered Whales
2025-12-05
To stop North Atlantic right whales from vanishing, Canada and the United States have spent decades trying new policies, facing new crises and trying again. Here’s a timeline of their struggle
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CWF Testifies to Government Recommending Three Amendments to Fisheries Act
2025-12-05
This week, CWF’s CEO Rick Bates testified to the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans for better protection for fish habitat.
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The Race to Save Females
2025-12-05
The warm, shallow waters off northern Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina is where Right Whale females go.
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Spate of right whale deaths has almost wiped out recent population gains
2025-12-05
Confirmation this week that a sixth North Atlantic right whale has died in Canadian waters is devastating for the endangered species because recent growth in the population has been virtually wiped out, a leading whale expert said Friday.
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Thousands of whales are being killed by passing ships. Can we save them?
2025-12-05
Large numbers of cetaceans are dying from lethal collisions with vessels, even in protected areas. Now science may provide the means to protect them
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Time for a Sea Change
2025-12-05
Not only do marine protected areas safeguard biodiversity, but with nature taking the lead, MPAs boost commercial fisheries and help lock in massive amounts of carbon.
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Experiencing the Snake Life – CCC Participant Field Learning Update
2025-12-05
Canadian Conservation Corps Group 1 participant Nicole Webster gives us a tour at her field learning placement at SCALES Nature Park in Ontario.
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New snow crab fishery rules announced to protect North Atlantic right whales
2025-12-05
At least 17 of the endangered mammals were killed in Canada and U.S. waters last year
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Where are Right Whales Most at Risk?
2025-12-05
In order to protect these vulnerable animals, we need to know where they are most at risk. This presents a surprising number of challenges. Their distribution and habitat are not completely understood, and not all mortalities are detected or can be examined to determine a cause of death. Furthermore, when a dead whale is found, we can’t be sure of where it died, as carcasses drift on ocean currents and so they can be found far from where they were killed.
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New measures announced to protect North Atlantic right whales
2025-12-05
The federal government has announced new measures to protect North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that have been dying from ship strikes and getting caught in fishing gear.
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Youth environmental program expanding to numerous communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
2025-12-05
Both recreational and conservational activities are undertaken
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1st endangered right whale spotted in Canadian waters, triggering crab fishery closure
2025-12-05
DFO imposes localized fishery closure after observers in plane spot whale in Cabot Strait on Sunday
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3 North Atlantic right whales partially freed from fishing gear
2025-12-05
A 4th entangled whale, at least 40 years old, appears to be anchored off Magdalen Islands
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6 Practical Tips to Help Protect Our Marine Mammals
2025-12-05
Over half of the 40 whales species that call Canada’s waters home are at risk of extinction. They face all sorts of threats from marine vessel strikes to entanglement in fishing gear, habitat loss to pollution, dwindling prey to the effects of climate change and more. But there are things you can do to help conserve these incredible creatures, especially if you live by the coast!
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Going Batty Interview with Mike Anissimoff, CWF conservationist
2025-12-05
Going Batty Interview with Mike Anissimoff, CWF conservationist
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As U.S. veers away from protecting environment, alarm sounds for East Coast marine life
2025-12-05
U.S. President Donald Trump's rush to change course on the environment has marine wildlife experts nervous about water and wildlife off the East Coast. Executive orders Trump has signed since taking office have already stripped away some protections for wildlife, with his determination to make drilling for oil easier and his apparent lack of concern about the impact of microplastics.
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Bates: Canada's fish can't ensure their own survival
2025-12-05
Canada needs to do more to protect all fish and their habitats. A diverse range of experts from across Canada met in Alberta this week to seek collaborative solutions for fish, wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
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all for action as U.S. reports sharp drop in North Atlantic right whale population
2025-12-05
A conservation group is calling on the Canadian and U.S. governments to take action to protect North Atlantic right whales after new data revealed a sharp decline in the animal’s population. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that as of January 2019, an estimated 366 North Atlantic right whales remained in the ocean, down from the previous count of 412 in 2018.
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Basking shark washes up on shore of Grand Manan Island
2025-12-05
It was supposed to be a routine visit to the island of Grand Manan,(opens in a new tab) N.B., this past weekend for University of New Brunswick(opens in a new tab) student Catherine D’Aoust.
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No Experience Necessary: Your Guide to Becoming A Canadian Conservation Hero
2025-12-05
While every action, individual and specific interest in wildlife is important to us, we are here to tell you that it can very easily be your name on the press release, awards trophy and banquet reception honouring today’s Conservation Heroes. Whether you submit your name now, or plan to enter for next year, here are a few things to keep in mind.
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Trudeau to announce ‘steps to get to a ban’ on single-use plastics by 2021
2025-12-05
Targets will be established to 'gradually' reduce plastic pollution over time within the private sector
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Baby pilot whale dies at Halifax-area beach despite efforts of rescuers
2025-12-05
A baby female pilot whale that was found stranded over the weekend at a beach east of Halifax didn't survive, despite the best efforts of rescuers from a marine animal conservation group.
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10th North Atlantic right whale calf of the season spotted off South Carolina
2025-12-05
We are celebrating the arrival of a new baby North Atlantic whale after it was spotted with its mom off South Carolina.NOAA identified the mom as 31-year-old Palmetto who last gave birth in 2009. This is her fifth calf.
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12 Wild Dates to Keep in Mind for This School Year
2025-12-05
t’s a new school year! Now is the perfect time for you to incorporate a few fun celebrations and wild activities into your upcoming plans. There are so many things in Canada — and the world — to celebrate. Pick your favourites from these options and plan something special! If you do, let us know on your favourite social media channel.
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Radio: Are We Doing Enough to Protect Canada’s Wildlife?
2025-12-05
That was the focus of a two hour CBC radio show called Cross Country Check Up. Carolyn Callaghan, CWF senior conservation biologist, was a special guest on the Aug. 10 show. She agreed with callers from coast to coast who said that we are not doing enough to protect wildlife in Canada. She thanked those that are stepping forward to help. She said that the $1.3 billion commitment by the Government of Canada to protect 17 per cent of our lands by 2020 is an unparalleled investment in nature and will make a big difference but there is more we can do beyond setting aside protected areas. She said that 817 species are assessed to be at risk in Canada and we're not really recovering most of those species. As of May 2017 a review of 455 of those species listed at risk showed that most were not recovering. In fact, 65 per cent did not change their status. About 18 per cent ended up in a lower risk category and 18 per cent ended up in a higher risk category. She said recent news stories about killer whales, entangled right whales and efforts to help migrating salmon are heart wrenching. Once a species is listed at risk recovery is enormously difficult. "We need to focus on keeping our common species common and preventing species from getting listed in the first place."
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5 Amazing Avian Migrators
2025-12-05
Let’s celebrate International Migratory Bird Day on May 12 by learning more about some of the coolest feathered travelers that are, or will be, arriving up North for a few months!
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Tropical Sea Turtles in Canada!?
2025-12-05
It’s true! Every summer our waters are invaded by gentle giants from the south! Read more.
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New recommendations stand to hurt already suffering North Atlantic right whales
2025-12-05
There are fewer North Atlantic right whales than there are days in a year, and a slew of efforts are underway to increase numbers. However, new recommendations on right whale protection would hinder that progress if adopted, say experts.
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N.B. fishermen test new gear in bid to stay on the water when right whales spotted
2025-12-05
Fundy North Fishermen’s Association hopes new ropeless gear will allow them to continue fishing
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New film opening in Halifax aims to assist the endangered right whale
2025-12-05
Dalhousie University’s Sean Brillant is among experts participating in a Q&A session following the Halifax premiere of 'Last of the Right Whales' on February 20
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New lobster fishing technology could help protect whales
2025-12-05
As one of Canada's most lucrative lobster fishing zones reopens for the season, the fishing industry is adopting new technology to prevent whales from getting entangled in ropes, which can be fatal for the animals.
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Nature app helps pique interest in the great outdoors
2025-12-05
Kids will be able to recognize and learn more about the diverse flora and fauna that surrounds us, while contributing data that can be useful for conservationists
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Maritime Noon with Bob Murphy
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation has launched a new gear lending program. It's to help the East Coast fishing industry access ropeless fishing gear.
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New Lending Program Lets Fish Harvesters Test out Ropeless Gear
2025-12-05
The Canadian Wildlife Federation has launched a new lending program for ropeless fishing gear that it hopes will help keep whales safe, and harvesters out on the water.
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Right whales could be at increased risk from offshore-drilling project, scientists warn
2025-12-05
Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has launched a new campaign looking for the public’s opinion on what can be done to save endangered whales in Canadian waters — even as reports detail the government’s options.
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New research shows even small ships pose deadly threat to North American right whales
2025-12-05
“We’ve shown clearly that small vessels can be a threat to whales. We’ve shown that very light, but fast-moving vessels like trans-oceanic racing sailboats can cause potentially lethal injuries to whales, so it means if you’re in a vessel on the ocean, you may be a threat to these animals,” says Sean Brillant, an adjunct in the Department of Oceanography, and Senior Marine Biologist for the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
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Knowledge Gaps as Big as a Whale
2025-12-05
We know frustratingly little about these massive creature’s movements.
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Late-year detections of endangered right whales close multiple N.S. fisheries
2025-12-05
Whales were thought to have left Canadian waters by now
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Keep it Down!! Noise Pollution in Our Oceans
2025-12-05
How would you like to live in the midst of a construction site, day in, day out?
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What more should be done to protect marine species BEFORE they become endangered?
2025-12-05
Guest #1 Sean Brilliant / Guest #2 Jean Lanteigne
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Lawsuits aim to protect right whales living near Nantucket wind farm
2025-12-05
Advocates question the review effort that went into finalizing federal approval, saying untold damage would be done to the endangered species
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Ottawa Lifts Speed Limits For Gulf Of St. Lawrence After No Whales Spotted
2025-12-05
The federal government has lifted speed restrictions meant to protect North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence after finding that the policy may have been pushing ships closer to the endangered mammals.
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Local organization set to help fish harvesters switch to whalesafe gear
2025-12-05
Only three months old, the CanFISH gear lending program has "already replaced over 800 buoylines that could have entangled whales," says CWF's Sean Brillant
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Lack of fishing prohibitions in 'grey zone' could pose risk for right whales, expert says
2025-12-05
One marine conservation expert has questions about the efforts on the part of Fisheries and Oceans after North Atlantic right whales were detected in the Bay of Fundy in recent weeks, including in an area where both Canadian and American fishermen catch lobster.
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More ropeless fishing happening on Eastern seaboard as industry leaders meet
2025-12-05
Sean Brillant, who works for the Canadian Wildlife Federation and is chair of the Ropeless Consortium, said they are approaching roughly 1,000 trials across the Eastern Seaboard, the bulk of which has been done in the last 12 months.
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Progress being made in fight to save North Atlantic right whale from extinction
2025-12-05
The latest official population estimate for the world's most endangered species of whale is grim.
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What Did You Do This Summer? Well, Here’s Some of What We Did…
2025-12-05
As the largest supporter-based conservation charity in Canada, we thought we’d report back to you on some of what we’ve accomplished during the 2018 summer conservation field work season. There were both successes and failures, but all of the work we do helps further our understanding of these species in order to best conserve Canada’s wildlife.
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Unexpected Wildlife Encounters
2025-12-05
School is over, summer is on... cue the Canadian wilderness! Camping, cottages, long hikes - and possibly, a life-changing encounter with a wild beast. What was your unexpected encounter with a wild animal?
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Ropeless fishing tech improves, but not yet ready for “primetime”
2025-12-05
To cut down the chances of whale entanglement with fishing gear, researchers and developers are testing technology that would eliminate the need for the vertical lines that run between lobster traps on the seafloor and buoys bobbing on the surface.
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Ropeless gear program will keep P.E.I. snow crab harvester on water despite whale sightings
2025-12-05
Alden Gaudet fishes out of Tignish Run, with traps spread on edge of closed area
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Five Fun Facts About Pacific Salmon
2025-12-05
Pacific salmon are some of the most iconic fish species in Canada.
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Q&A With a Fish Harvester: On-Demand Fishing as a Solution to Mitigate North Atlantic Right Whale Entanglements
2025-12-05
Looking Through a New Lens at the Fishing Industry and Marine Wildlife
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Ropeless Fishing: When Will Entanglement Be a Thing of the Past?
2025-12-05
You are likely aware that fishing rope can be dangerous for marine animals.
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SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY BEING EXPLORED TO HELP PROTECT NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES
2025-12-05
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has teamed up with other federal government departments to invest up to $5.3 million on researching space technologies to help protect the North Atlantic right whale.
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Endangered right whale experiencing mini-baby boom off New England
2025-12-05
7 baby right whales have been spotted so far this year after no calves survived last year
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Offshore oil exploration in N.L. often occurs without wildlife monitoring
2025-12-05
Fog, darkness, high waves make environmental observation impossible, while operations continue apace
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Sad News About Red Rockette, the Winner of the 2013 Great Canadian Turtle Race
2025-12-05
Friends, we have sad news about our winner. Red Rockette was recently found dead on Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy shoreline. This was a shocking discovery for us because we recently found her again in Canadian waters, off the coast of Nova Scotia, feeding as usual. However, this year we found her body in a very decomposed state. When marine animals are found in this kind of state, it’s hard to determine a cause of death. We are still waiting on results from the necropsy, although preliminary results indicated that they weren’t able to determine a cause of death.
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Researchers hope gene study will reveal new clues in right whales' rapid decline
2025-12-05
Canada-U.S. team wants to use genomic research to make conservation efforts more efficient
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Slowing down big ships not enough to protect right whales from fatal strikes: study
2025-12-05
Researcher says 80 per cent chance a ship strike would be fatal, even under current speed restrictions
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Right whale population continued to decline in 2021. Pressure continues to maintain strict fishery closures
2025-12-05
The population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales continued to decline in 2021, according to the latest estimate that puts the surviving population at 340.
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Saving Water in Style
2025-12-05
Make Rain Barrels a Fun Feature of Your Garden — Not an Ugly Tool to Hide!
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Endangered right whales have moved because of climate change — into dangerous waters
2025-12-05
At the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, Christy Hudak, a researcher in the Right Whale Ecology Program, leaned over a microscope looking at a water sample, counting and categorizing different kinds of plankton.
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Restoring Canada’s Ancient Aquatic Migration Routes
2025-12-05
Many of Canada’s lakes, streams and rivers are part of ancient migratory routes that have been travelled by aquatic species for thousands of years.
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A New Start for the North Atlantic Right Whale?
2025-12-05
We are approaching the end of the calving season for the endangered North Atlantic Right Whales. But this year there is good news: there are four new calves in the population!
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Protection for all: Fisheries student testing whale-safe fishing gear with crab harvesters
2025-12-05
Genevieve Peck is using her thesis to test the use of whale-safe fishing gear in the Newfoundland and Labrador snow crab fishery.
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Wrong Times For the Right Whale
2025-12-05
Why have the past few months been the deadliest in decades?
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P.E.I.'s snow crab season wrapping up as right whale protection begins
2025-12-05
Island fishers with larger quotas prepare to use ropeless gear in case of closure
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North Atlantic right whale population has steadied, scientists say
2025-12-05
'The slowing down of the decline is sort of the first good news that we've had in a long time'
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Quebec-born cheetahs soaking up sun ahead of release into Zimbabwe wilderness
2025-12-05
"Rewilding'' is the process of reintroducing animals to an area where their species used to roam in the hope of re-establishing that population, according to a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Carolyn Callaghan says the cheetahs' journey from Quebec to Africa — the product of a partnership between Parc Safari, the Aspinall Foundation and Imire — is an example of the international effort that is increasingly needed to save vulnerable animals. The partnership also reflects the shifting role of zoos, she said, from displaying captive animals to helping repopulate endangered species.
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Packed week celebrates our 'big blue backyard'
2025-12-05
Events during Ocean Week range from building a whale skeleton and creating jewelry from sea glass to making art from algae, beach cleanups and evening paddles.
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Ropeless gear shows promise in Canadian snow crab fishery, but full adoption faces challenges
2025-12-05
A photo of a North Atlantic Right Whale. Canadian commercial fishermen are hopeful ropeless gear could be a solution to address concerns of right whale entanglements in snow crab fisheries, and recent trials are showing that innovative technology can work along the East Coast of Canada.
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North Atlantic right whales nearing extinction, international nature body says
2025-12-05
North Atlantic right whales are now considered one step away from complete eradication. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is moving the whales from "endangered" to "critically endangered" on its red list of global species facing threats to their survival.
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International shipping industry under the microscope as whale death toll grows
2025-12-05
The shipping industry is under increased scrutiny after two cargo ships were fined for sailing too fast through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where the rising death toll among endangered North Atlantic right whales has been partly blamed on collisions with vessels.
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Slow response to right whale plight could have impact on Canadian fisheries, study says
2025-12-05
For years, fishermen off the U.S. east coast have faced tight restrictions on fishing gear and vessel speed restrictions to ensure their activities do not harm marine mammals, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
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Nature’s Clean Up Crew
2025-12-05
Take a look below at some of Canada’s most popular scavengers and some that just may surprise you.
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Critically endangered right whale calf hit by boat off Georgia coast
2025-12-05
CMARA aims to improve marine animal rescue, research and outreach on behalf of the Canadian public for the conservation of our marine wildlife heritage.
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Canada - How a gear lending program is helping the fishing industry and protecting right whales
2025-12-05
When Alden Gaudet pulled into Tingish Harbour on Prince Edward Island, other fishers could hardly believe their eyes.
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From Ocean to Prairie — CCC Participant Experiences Canada’s Diversity
2025-12-05
Shannon is a participant in Group 1 of the Canadian Conservation Corps. She writes of her experience in her field learning placement. Having grown up on the east coast with saltwater in my veins, the prospect of spending four months in the centre of the country in a landlocked province was daunting. Lakes just aren’t the
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How Do Animals Communicate?
2025-12-05
Sounds aren’t the only way species communicate with each other
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The state of the right whale
2025-12-05
Information Morning Saint John from CBC Radio New Brunswick with Dr. Sean Brillant, a Senior Conservation Biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
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Chut!! Pollution sonore dans nos océans
2025-12-05
Aimeriez-vous vivre au milieu d’un chantier de construction, jour après jour? Et si le tintamarre du marteau-piqueur se poursuivait toute la nuit?
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Canadian government modifies North Atlantic right whale protection measures for 2021
2025-12-05
The federal Fisheries Department will continue efforts this year to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales in Canadian waters, but it is making some changes to reduce the impact on the fishing industry.
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Changes to endangered species act
2025-12-05
David Browne, the Conservation Director at CWF says the changes to the endangered species act rolls back some protections species once had.
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CCC Participants Help Out With New Brunswick Flood
2025-12-05
Canadian Conservation Corps Group 2 participant Ben Mowat describes his experience as he and the rest of the group volunteered to help victims of the New Brunswick flooding before they departed for Phase 1 of their journey.
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Canada disputes U.S. environmentalist claims on right whale protections
2025-12-05
Canada received a red rating from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
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