A North Atlantic right whale feeds on the surface of Cape Cod Bay, off the coast of Plymouth, Mass., March 28, 2018. Gear tracing will help understand whale habits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Michael Dwyer
Researchers say they can learn about the evolving habits of endangered North Atlantic right whales by tracing the fishing gear from which the animals are freed.
Canada’s Fisheries Department says gear that was disentangled from a whale in United States waters in January was traced back to the southern coast of Nova Scotia.
It says the finding represents the first whale entanglement confirmed to be related to Canada’s lobster fishery in more than five years.
The connection was made after a fisher reported lost fishing gear to the department, as is required by law.
Dalhousie University biology professor Boris Worm says that by tracing gear, researchers can determine what parts of the ocean present the greatest risk for entanglements – a leading cause of injury and death for the whales.
Worm adds that tracing also permits researchers to step up conservation efforts in parts of the water where whales are most vulnerable.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2023.
