NR-M-99-18E

CANADIAN RECOVERY PLAN FOR ENDANGERED RIGHT WHALES READY FOR REVIEW

May 12, 1999

HALIFAX -- The "Canadian Recovery Plan for the North Atlantic Right Whale" was released today for public comment. The plan has been prepared by a team led by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF).

The North Atlantic Right whale is one of the world's most endangered species, and only 300 are known to exist at this time. The right whales spend several months of the year in Canadian coastal waters, particularly in the Bay of Fundy and the waters off Nova Scotia.

DFO and various partner organizations, including WWF Canada, have been working toward protecting these whales from entanglements with fishing gear and collisions with ships since 1993. These two hazards pose the greatest threats to the right whale populations.

The development of the recovery plan, in collaboration with WWF, fishing and shipping industry representatives as well as with researchers and scientists, is part of DFO's ongoing commitment to contribute to saving the North Atlantic Right whale.

Copies of the draft plan can be obtained from:

For more information: