Entangled North Atlantic right whale spotted near Shippagan, N.B.

An entangled North Atlantic right whale has been spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence near Shippagan, N.B., according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

An aerial surveillance flight first spotted the whale on Monday. It has been identified as a five-year-old male called EGNO #5192.

“Attempts to relocate the whale by DFO and our Marine Mammal Response partners are ongoing,” a DFO news release reads. “If the whale is located again, a satellite tag will be attached to the gear in order to track the whale, and if weather and sea conditions allow, efforts will be made to attempt disentanglement.

“We ask the public not to approach a rescue effort, should you see one underway. Keep your distance. Responding to an entanglement is dangerous, and our partners need space and time to safely do their work.”

A four-year-old entangled right whale called Division was found dead off the coast of North Carolina earlier this year.

The North Atlantic right whale is considered endangered with a population of roughly 384 total whales and 70 reproductive females.

Twenty-three whale calves were spotted this past calving season, which was the highest number of calves in 17 years.

Earlier this year, the federal government released the five-year Whalesafe Fishing Gear Strategy, which seeks to reduce the harm to whales from entanglements.

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