The Canadian Wildlife Federation, dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world, expects the federal government to rise to its responsibilities for the conservation of marine mammals as a new report has been uncovered by the Commissioner of the Environment Oct. second.
The Office of the Auditor General’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is expected to release four reports: Protecting Marine Mammals, Toxic Substances, Departmental Progress in Implementing Sustainable Development Strategies and Environmental Petitions Annual Report.
“We expect the marine mammal report will document a negligent record of inaction by the federal government over the past 10 years. However, we have recently seen a drastic and long-needed change in the priorities and actions of the federal government, and we are optimistic this will continue,” said Sean Brilliant, CWF senior conservation biologist – marine programs.
Canada is home to several highly endangered marine mammals, including the North Atlantic right whale, one of the most endangered whales in the world. There ae only 100 breeding females left. Between April and November 2017, at least 16 Atlantic right whales died, 12 of them in Canadian waters.
For more information, visit: canadianwildlifefederation.ca
The Canadian Wildlife Federation planned actions
– Assessing the risks from fishing gear and vessel strikes
– Working with the federal government to advise on changes to commercial fishing practices and shipping
– Working with fishermen and fishing organizations to identify ways to manage and operate their fisheries without jeopardizing whales
– Working with response specialists and their organizations to ensure there is capacity and expertise in Canada to respond to marine wildlife emergencies
