Using less rope could save more whales.
Southwest New Brunswick MP Karen Ludwig is congratulating the Grand Manan Fisherman’s Association for a new pilot project aimed at protecting North Atlantic Right whales.
The GMFA recently reached an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans where they will use innovative techniques to reduce the amount of rope used on fishing sites.
MP Ludwig applauds the forward thinking and ingenuity of the Grand Manan Fisherman’s Association, as well as their willingness to work in partnership with DFO to reduce or eliminate whale entanglements.
“We appreciate their efforts and understand they must also protect their commercial interests and ability to earn a living to provide for their families.”
MP Karen Ludwig has been passionate about protecting whales and other endangered species in recent years.
In June of 2018, the House of Commons gave unanimous consent for her Private Members Motion M-154, which mandated the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans would conduct a study on endangered whales in Canada, specifically the right, beluga, and killer whales.
“It’s of the utmost importance to find the balance between reducing or eliminating entanglement risk with the commercial operations and economic viability of our fisherman.”
In Ottawa, stakeholder meetings surrounding the endangered whale study are being held this week.
Parliamentarians will hear from industries, fishermen, scientists, advocacy groups and indigenous communities before making recommendations on how to protect the whales while also balancing commercial needs.
The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans is expected to release a report with those recommendations by the end of this year.
Ludwig says she is pleased that action is being taken, even before her proposed study is completed.
In 2017 alone, 17 North Atlantic Right Whales died in Canadian waters, several were proven to be from entanglements.
There are approximately 450 of the whales left in existence.
