There are so few North Atlantic right whales left, that every single one is critical to their survival as a species.
There are estimated to be only about 500 to 550 left alive.
In June, in what came as a shock to marine scientists and conservationists, six right whales were found dead in the Gulf of St Lawrence.
Later, a seventh was found, and now the already devastating new was worsened by the finding of an eight whale dead, and another entangled in fishing gear.
Early indications from necropsies performed on three of the dead whales found earlier point to collision with ships, but a final report will come perhaps by the end of July.
Shipping lanes, fishing gear.
The ninth entangled whale is being monitored for the moment as rescue attempts have been paused after a whale rescuer Joe Howlett was accidently killed earlier this month. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) says it is looking to review practices before possibly attempting to cut the gear from the whale. Howlett was the co-founder of the Campobello Whale Rescue Team of New Brunswick
Jerry Conway, an adviser with the Whale Rescue Team says that there needs to be a complete review of shipping lanes in relation to the whales typical movements in the gulf, and also as to the use and placement of fishing gear.
Joe Howlett (accidently killed this month) rescues a right whale in the Bay of Fundy, 2016
Additional information- sources
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