Canada releases long-awaited plan to reduce whale entanglements

A step forward, and more to do

IFAW welcomes this commitment from the Canadian government and the leadership shown by Canadian harvesters working towards coexistence with whales. Collaboration is essential. Protecting whales and supporting sustainable fisheries are not opposing goals-they are interconnected.

But this strategy must now move from paper to practice.

We need:

• Clear timelines and accountability
• Rapid scaling of proven technologies to reduce entanglement
• Continued investment in innovation and monitoring
• Strong enforcement and adaptive management

Entanglement is just one of several human-caused threats. To secure a future for right whales, action must also address vessel strikes, underwater noise, and the growing impacts of climate change.

The good news is that solutions exist. We know what works. And when governments, scientists, fishers, and communities act together, we can reduce risk and give whales the space they need to recover.

You can help protect right whales

Right whales are resilient. This year's calves are a powerful reminder that recovery is possible. But they need safer oceans to survive.

You can help protect the North Atlantic right whale from extinction by adding your voice in support of stronger protections and fishing practices that reduce the risk of entanglement.

Together, we can turn innovation into impact-and ensure that whales like Division are not lost in vain.