The total number of dead North Atlantic right whales, now stands at five.
Fisheries and Oceans confirmed yesterday, that another whale was found the shore of Anticosti Island, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Unfortunately, we confirmed another #rightwhale death today. It was found washed up on the shore of Anticosti Island, bringing the total deaths in Canadian waters for 2019 to 5. pic.twitter.com/XVvn2WgYrq
— Fisheries and Oceans (@FishOceansCAN) June 27, 2019
Transport Canada has now put precautionary speed restrictions in place. Vessels of 20 metres or more must travel no more than 10 knots when travelling in the western part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Effective immediately to help keep #RightWhales safe, we are implementing an interim speed restriction of 10 knots, for vessels 20M or more travelling in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the 2 designated lanes north & south of Anticosti Island https://t.co/zbs5hyWmEC
— Transport Canada (@Transport_gc) June 27, 2019
A second necropsy was completed on a whale found on June 25th. Preliminary findings indicate the whale may have died after being struck by a fishing vessel.
Preliminary findings from the veterinarians that conducted the #rightwhale necropsy yesterday in Petit Étang, NS: death due to sharp trauma, consistent with vessel strike. Final results will be available in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/1Mpq0mPxfK
— Fisheries and Oceans (@FishOceansCAN) June 27, 2019
DFO and Transport Canada is expected to release more information this afternoon.
