The first North Atlantic right whale of the season has been sighted in Canadian waters, triggering an early and localized snow crab fishery closure in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. "This sighting has triggered a 15-day fishing closure in crab fishing area 12F," the department said in a statement. Right whales migrate each spring from the waters off the southeastern U.S. to Canadian waters, including the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of St. Lawrence. No right whales died in Canadian waters in 2018 and 2020. Researchers estimate fewer than right whales 400 survive, with fewer than 100 breeding females left.

Source: CBC News April 26, 2021 17:46 UTC