Entangled right whale seen in St. Lawrence River estuary, officials say

Experts with the federal Fisheries Department and Parks Canada are searching the St. Lawrence River estuary for a North Atlantic right whale tangled in fishing gear.

The Fisheries and Oceans Department said the whale was spotted Tuesday on the north shore of the river, near Quebec's Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park.

The department said its marine mammal response partners are also looking for the whale.

It remains unclear whether this is a new or previously known entanglement.

"We ask the public not to approach a rescue effort, should you see one underway," the Fisheries Department said in a statement.

"Keep your distance. Responding to an entanglement is dangerous, and our partners need space and time to safely do their work."

In October, an international group of researchers and scientists announced that the population of this critically endangered species had shown a slight increase in recent years, but they said the species still faces significant threats from human activities.

The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium released data showing that as of 2023, the population was estimated at 372, which included the 12 calves born that year.

That represented a slow increase since 2020 when the population hit a low of 358.

At the time, consortium chairwoman Heather Pettis said the growing population estimate offered hope for the species.

"While we still have a great deal of work to do to ensure that this species not only recovers but thrives, it feels really
good to be able to share a little bit of positive news," Pettis said in a statement.

Last year, three right whales died after being struck by a vessel, one died as the result of an entanglement, and one dead whale was not examined.

But the vast majority of serious injuries reported last year — 35 in total — were the result of entanglements, while vessel
strikes were responsible for three serious injuries.