A groundbreaking initiative by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) aims to revolutionize fishing practices and safeguard our majestic whales. The recently unveiled 'Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy' is a five-year plan designed to tackle the deadly issue of whale entanglements, with an initial focus on the vulnerable waters of the Atlantic provinces.
But here's where it gets controversial: while the strategy aims to protect endangered whale species, it also seeks to do so without disrupting the fishing industry. Brett Gilchrist, DFO's director of national programs, emphasizes the need to collaborate with fish harvesters rather than imposing closures.
At the heart of this strategy is the innovative 'whalesafe gear,' a specialized equipment designed to prevent entanglements or minimize their impact. This gear, although not a novel invention, has yet to gain widespread adoption, according to Hanna Vatcher, a right whale advocate with Oceana Canada. Vatcher highlights the industry's commitment to whale conservation, stating, "Fishers are not intentionally harming whales. It's an unfortunate byproduct of our ocean-based industry, but many have stepped up to test and adopt these new practices."
The strategy report acknowledges that not all fisheries can adopt this gear, and different options must be made available. Gilchrist explains that high-risk entanglement areas will be identified, and on-demand whalesafe gear will be deployed accordingly. This approach has been advocated for by Vatcher and Oceana Canada, who recommended its inclusion in the strategy.
Overall, Vatcher commends the strategy, which she believes reflects years of collaboration between the government, industry, Indigenous partners, and conservationists. She highlights its balanced approach, addressing the risks to whales, the seafood trade, and market access. However, Vatcher raises concerns about the lack of new funding attached to the strategy, questioning where the necessary resources will come from to implement these objectives.
The DFO has categorized the whalesafe gear into two main types: on-demand gear and low breaking-strength gear. On-demand gear allows traps to sit on the seafloor with a buoy and rope or an airbag attached, which can be released upon demand by the harvesters. The alternative involves traditional fishing methods but with a special link in the fishing line that breaks under force.
The typical commercial lobster and snow crab fishing practice involves dropping pots into the water with a buoy attached, leaving a rope running from the seafloor to the surface, posing a risk of entanglement for whales. Another priority of the strategy is to establish a system to authorize gear and set usage standards for manufacturers and harvesters.
On-demand gear is already available for free in the Maritimes through the CanFish gear lending program, created by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Vatcher notes that while there are 200 sets of gear available, the use of whalesafe gear remains low. She suggests that the DFO's strategy could have acknowledged the CanFish program, as cost and access are barriers to the adoption of whalesafe gear.
The DFO's primary concern is the North Atlantic right whale population, with Vatcher reporting that 20 calves have been born so far this season, the most in 15 years. She emphasizes that a target of 50 calves per year is needed to recover the endangered species.
"This is excellent news," Vatcher said. "It's been a productive calving season so far, which is hopeful. It showcases the species' resilience, but we must remain cautious."
In October, there were approximately 380 right whales, including around 70 reproductive females. Vatcher notes that there were 11 calves born last year, and in 2018, no calves were born.
Harvesters and organizations have been testing methods like on-demand gear for over five years. Martin Maillet, executive director of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, believes the new strategy provides a roadmap to refine and improve these whale protection measures.
"As we learn to coexist with these whales in our ecosystem, we're fine-tuning these approaches. That's what we'll be doing for the next five years—fine-tuning," Maillet said.
He adds that while replacing entire fleets of traps is not feasible due to high costs, having some whalesafe gear in high-risk areas is essential. Maillet also acknowledges that testing has shown whalesafe approaches to be ineffective in certain conditions, depending on water depth, currents, and proximity between fishermen.
This innovative strategy by the DFO aims to strike a delicate balance between whale conservation and the sustainability of the fishing industry. It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be, but the collaboration between various stakeholders offers a glimmer of hope for the future of our oceans and the magnificent creatures that inhabit them.
What are your thoughts on this strategy? Do you think it strikes the right balance, or is there room for improvement? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments below!
