Canada implemented further measures on July 8 to protect the North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species, after six of the mammals died since June in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in southeastern Canada.

At least three of these deaths were tentatively caused by being hit by ships, said Marc Garneau, Canada's Minister of Transport.

In response to the "extremely troubling" deaths - the first since 2017 - Garneau in late June activated an interim ship slowdown of 10 knots around Anticosti Island in the Gulf.

According to a statement released on July 8, the measures also include increased speed-restricted zones and aerial surveillance, and funding for initiatives to enhance marine mammal response.

Mandatory speed restrictions for vessels have been extended from longer than 20 meters to 13 meters, while surveillance flights over the gulf have increased from seven to 24 since late June.

Canada had already closed 16,000 square kilometers to commercial fishing in a bid to protect the whales.

Government planes are still looking for three other right whales spotted entangled in fishing gear over the past several days.

"Attempts at disentanglement will only be considered if they can be done in a safe manner. Right whales are among the most difficult marine mammals to disentangle due to their size, strength and behavior," a statement from Fisheries and Oceans Canada said.

According to Canadian officials, this month's right whale deaths, plus seven recent calf births, bring the total population in the area to around 412.

North Atlantic right whales are among the most threatened species in the world. About a third of them visit Canadian waters to feed each summer. Amid change ocean conditions, the whales' range in the Gulf has expanded in recent years and the number of visits has increased.

(Cover image via VCG.)

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