Protecting Marine Mammals

Oct. 1, 2018, HALIFAX - 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.

The Office of the Auditor General's Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is expected to release four reports: Protecting Marine Mammals, Toxic Substances, Departmental Progress in Implementing Sustainable Development Strategies, and Environmental Petitions Annual Report.

"We expect the marine mammal report will document a negligent record of inaction by the federal government over the past ten years. However, we have recently seen a drastic and long-needed change in the priorities and actions of the federal government, and we are optimistic this will continue," said Sean Brillant, CWF senior conservation biologist - marine programs.

Canada is the home to several highly endangered marine mammals, including the North Atlantic Right Whale, one of the most endangered whales in the world. There are only about 100 breeding females remaining. Between April and November 2017, at least 16 North Atlantic right whales died, 12 of them in Canadian waters. As a leader in North Atlantic Right Whale conservation, CWF's actions include:

• Quantifying the risks from fishing gear and vessel strikes
• Working with the federal government to advise on changes to commercial fishing practices and shipping
• Working with fishermen and fishing organizations to identify ways to manage and operate their fisheries without jeopardizing whales
• Working with response specialists and their organizations to ensure there is capacity and expertise in Canada to respond to marine wildlife emergencies

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, conducting research, taking action to conserve habitat and wildlife, recommending legislative and policy changes, and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature.

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Contacts:

Sean Brillant
Senior Conservation Biologist - Marine Programs
seanb@cwf-fcf.org
(902) 237-9692

Heather Robison,
Media and Community Relations Officer
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org
1.877.599.5777 Ext 212