In The News: Coasts & Oceans

2025-12-05

The federal Fisheries Department will continue efforts this year to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales in Canadian waters, but it is making some changes to reduce the impact on the fishing industry.

2025-12-05

Canadian Conservation Corps Group 2 participant Ben Mowat describes his experience as he and the rest of the group volunteered to help victims of the New Brunswick flooding before they departed for Phase 1 of their journey.

2025-12-05

That was the focus of a two hour CBC radio show called Cross Country Check Up. Carolyn Callaghan, CWF senior conservation biologist, was a special guest on the Aug. 10 show. She agreed with callers from coast to coast who said that we are not doing enough to protect wildlife in Canada. She thanked those that are stepping forward to help. She said that the $1.3 billion commitment by the Government of Canada to protect 17 per cent of our lands by 2020 is an unparalleled investment in nature and will make a big difference but there is more we can do beyond setting aside protected areas. She said that 817 species are assessed to be at risk in Canada and we're not really recovering most of those species. As of May 2017 a review of 455 of those species listed at risk showed that most were not recovering. In fact, 65 per cent did not change their status. About 18 per cent ended up in a lower risk category and 18 per cent ended up in a higher risk category. She said recent news stories about killer whales, entangled right whales and efforts to help migrating salmon are heart wrenching. Once a species is listed at risk recovery is enormously difficult. "We need to focus on keeping our common species common and preventing species from getting listed in the first place."

2025-12-05

Canada received a red rating from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch

2025-12-05

DFO imposes localized fishery closure after observers in plane spot whale in Cabot Strait on Sunday

2025-12-05

A 4th entangled whale, at least 40 years old, appears to be anchored off Magdalen Islands

2025-12-05

Over half of the 40 whales species that call Canada’s waters home are at risk of extinction. They face all sorts of threats from marine vessel strikes to entanglement in fishing gear, habitat loss to pollution, dwindling prey to the effects of climate change and more. But there are things you can do to help conserve these incredible creatures, especially if you live by the coast!

2025-12-05

A conservation group is calling on the Canadian and U.S. governments to take action to protect North Atlantic right whales after new data revealed a sharp decline in the animal’s population. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that as of January 2019, an estimated 366 North Atlantic right whales remained in the ocean, down from the previous count of 412 in 2018.

2025-12-05

We are celebrating the arrival of a new baby North Atlantic whale after it was spotted with its mom off South Carolina.NOAA identified the mom as 31-year-old Palmetto who last gave birth in 2009. This is her fifth calf.

2025-12-05

t’s a new school year! Now is the perfect time for you to incorporate a few fun celebrations and wild activities into your upcoming plans. There are so many things in Canada — and the world — to celebrate. Pick your favourites from these options and plan something special! If you do, let us know on your favourite social media channel.