In The News: Coasts & Oceans

2019-08-12

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.

2019-08-11

The United Nations warns that 1 million species worldwide are at risk of extinction

2019-08-11

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."

2019-08-07

A 4th entangled whale, at least 40 years old, appears to be anchored off Magdalen Islands

2019-08-06

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.

2019-08-01

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.

2019-07-29

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.

2019-07-19

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.

2019-07-10

When it comes to ships, does size play a part in the damage they can do to whales?

2019-07-08

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.