The federal government has officially launched a **five-year Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy aimed at reducing the risk of whales becoming entangled in commercial fishing gear across Canadian waters, officials said. The plan — spearheaded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) — is designed to support sustainable, modern fisheries that coexist with healthy whale populations while protecting the marine mammals that are threatened by traditional fishing methods.
Entanglement in fishing gear remains one of the most serious threats to whale species in Canadian waters, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale, which has suffered significant population declines in recent years as a result of both entanglement and other human-linked pressures.
The strategy focuses initially on fisheries along the east coast of Canada, with plans to expand implementation nationwide by 2030. It was developed through extensive engagement with fish harvesters, Indigenous partners, whale experts, gear manufacturers and conservation organizations, reflecting a collaborative approach to identifying and deploying innovative gear technologies that reduce entanglement risk without disrupting fishing operations.
Under the new framework, DFO and its partners will assess fisheries to identify areas where the risk of whale encounters is highest and support the adoption of “whalesafe” gear systems — including configurations that make fishing gear less likely to trap or injure whales, such as low-breaking-strength lines and on-demand or “ropeless” gear technologies. The strategy also emphasizes ongoing research, testing and knowledge sharing to refine gear approaches that are practical and effective across diverse fishery conditions.
The strategy builds on the success of earlier pilot projects and gear testing initiatives, including funding programs like the Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund, which from 2021 to 2023 supported dozens of projects to test and improve innovative gear solutions. These efforts have helped demonstrate what works in real-world conditions and laid the groundwork for broader implementation under the new five-year plan.
Officials said the plan will also help Canada meet its species-at-risk obligations and strengthen the sustainability and market access of Canadian seafood products by aligning fishing practices with international expectations for marine mammal protection. DFO has pledged to share progress periodically and continue engaging stakeholders throughout the implementation process.
Canada says U.S. officials wrongly detained MP Jivani at the border after she attended a congression
A rare cold snap in Florida has left iguanas cold-stunned and falling from trees, prompting wildlife
Melinda French Gates says Bill Gates being named in newly released Epstein files revives painful mar
A tourist has died after being trampled by an elephant inside a national park in Thailand, authoriti
