Canada rolls out whalesafe strategy to curb right whale entanglements.

The federal government announced a five-year 'whalesafe fishing gear strategy' to promote on‑demand gear and lower‑breaking links intended to reduce North Atlantic right whale entanglements.

The federal government announced a five-year 'whalesafe fishing gear strategy' to develop and support fishing equipment meant to reduce entanglements of North Atlantic right whales. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) said the strategy will work with harvesters, Indigenous groups and whale experts to identify tools that fit different fisheries. Whalesafe gear described by officials includes on‑demand systems that lift pots and remove vertical ropes, and lower‑breaking links designed to break at about 1,700 pounds of force. DFO said it will require whalesafe gear in areas judged at risk and will support testing and implementation, but it has not announced funding to help harvesters buy equipment. Key facts: - The strategy is a five-year federal plan initially focused on right whales in eastern Canada, with officials saying it will later expand to the west coast and other species. - On‑demand gear uses acoustic signals to retrieve pots and removes vertical lines from the water; lower‑breaking links are designed to break at about 1,700 pounds so whales can free themselves. - DFO currently halts fishing when right whales are spotted and requires harvesters to pull gear unless they are using on‑demand equipment. - Officials said lower‑breaking links can be relatively inexpensive while on‑demand systems are costlier, and no program funding for equipment purchases has been announced. - Environmental groups and researchers reported the North Atlantic right whale population at about 380 animals, with roughly 70 in the reproductive population. Summary: The whalesafe strategy formalizes federal support for gear development, testing and tailored solutions to lower entanglement risk, starting in eastern Canada. DFO will work with partners to map high‑risk areas and require appropriate whalesafe tools there, and officials said testing and implementation support will follow. Undetermined at this time is whether federal funding will be provided to help harvesters obtain equipment.