WINNIPEG

Ottawa to announce measures to address whale deaths in Gulf of St. Lawrence

The Canadian Press Published Friday, August 11, 2017 4:57AM CST

Ten of the endangered mammals have died in the gulf since early June. (File Image)

Text:

POINTE-DU-CHENE, N.B. -- Federal officials are expected to announce temporary measures to help protect right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence later today.

Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Transport Minister Marc Garneau will be in Pointe-du-Chene, N.B., where they are expected to announce measures aimed at preventing further whale deaths.

Ten of the endangered mammals have died in the gulf since early June.

Current estimates place the number of right whales at around 500.

Last week, LeBlanc promised Ottawa would bring "every protection to bear" to protect an bolster the right whale population.

The Fisheries Department has already taken steps to prevent further deaths, including shortening the snow crab season, asking fishermen in the gulf to report any whale sightings, and to voluntarily reduce their boat speed to 10 knots.