Clipper, the most recent whale to die in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, used to spend time in the Bay of Fundy. (Submitted: Danielle Dion)
In ongoing efforts to protect the North Atlantic right whale, fishery officers and the Canadian Coast Guard are spending a few days searching for and retrieving lost fishing gear in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Known as ghost gear, Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials are on board one of five Coast Guard vessels combing areas of the Gulf with the highest reported losses of gear.
Surveillance aircraft will also be providing support.
Three right whales were recently entangled in fishing gear and rescuers have partially freed two of them.
Officials have said entanglements are among the most common causes of death for the endangered right whale.
Since last year, reporting lost fishing gear has been a licence requirement for all fixed-gear fisheries in the Gulf.
Depending on how much gear is found, ships may be unloading at a number of locations including Shediac and Caraquet.
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