A North Atlantic right whale entangled in fishing gear has been spotted in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, as reported by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in a news release on Friday.
The whale was seen in the Bradelle Bank area, located between New Brunswick’s Acadian Peninsula, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec’s Magdalen Islands.
“A surveillance flight conducted by DFO detected the whale on October 21, 2026, but the entanglement was only confirmed after DFO scientists and other specialists analyzed the footage this week,” the release stated.
If the whale is found again and sea conditions permit, a satellite tag will be attached to assist in tracking, and “efforts will be made to attempt disentanglement,” according to the release.
“At this point, we do not have the whale’s identification, the type of gear it is entangled with, or its source,” the release added.
“Determining the type and origin of the gear is usually only possible if it is removed from the animal and a subsequent analysis is conducted, when feasible.”
The department cautioned the public to maintain a safe distance and avoid attempting to disentangle the whale if it is located.
“Dealing with an entanglement is hazardous, and our partners require space and time to perform their work safely.”
Individuals can report sightings or incidents involving marine mammals or sea turtles to the department through their online platform.
Right whales, among the most critically endangered large whale species globally, typically arrive in Canadian waters during April and May, migrating southward in October and November.
Current estimates suggest there are about 384 whales, including 70 breeding females.
Following years of decline attributed to ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements, the population appears to be stabilizing, as noted by Fisheries and Oceans earlier this year.
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