3 days ago
Ropeless Gear Can Save Whales and Keep Fisheries Open — Canada must Release Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy Now
OTTAWA, Ontario, traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg People, Aug. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are dying at an alarming rate from entanglements in fishing gear. One of the most effective protections is closing high-risk fishing areas — but these closures often include the most productive waters for fishers, creating conflict between protecting whales, sustaining livelihoods, and Canada's global seafood reputation.
A solution exists: ropeless, or 'on-demand,' fishing gear. This innovative technology allows fishing to continue without leaving dangerous vertical ropes in the water — protecting whales while keeping fisheries open. Oceana Canada is calling on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to release its long-promised Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy without further delay. The strategy must identify high-risk areas for permanent ropeless only fishing by 2026 and set a clear path for widespread adoption.
