Canada Announces 2026 Measures to Protect Endangered North Atlantic Right Whales

The federal government has announced a new set of measures for the 2026 season aimed at protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale, one of the world’s most at-risk large whale species.

In a news release, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the population of North Atlantic right whales remains critically low, with an estimated 380 animals. The species continues to face significant threats, particularly from fishing gear entanglements and vessel strikes.

DFO said it will continue to use adaptive fishery closure protocols, which allow for temporary shutdowns of fishing areas wherever whales are detected. The department is also extending its voluntary whalesafe gear pilot program in shallow waters for another three years. The initiative allows some harvesters to continue operating in closed areas if they use gear designed to reduce the risk of entanglement.

As part of enhanced monitoring, DFO will also begin issuing advisories to harvesters about whale sightings that do not trigger closures.

Meanwhile, Transport Canada will reintroduce vessel traffic restrictions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence beginning April 22. For the tenth consecutive year, vessels measuring 13 metres or longer will be subject to a mandatory 10-knot speed limit across much of the region, covering more than 65,000 square kilometres.

Dynamic slowdowns will also be enforced in major shipping lanes when whales are detected, while a voluntary slowdown in the Cabot Strait will be in effect from April 22 to June 30 and again from September 2 to November 15.

In the Bay of Fundy, Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard will continue to encourage vessels to reduce speed in areas where whales are known to gather, including near the Grand Manan Basin.