Our Conservation programs help to support our goals to collaborate with marine industries to mutually develop solutions that mitigate the effects of their activities on marine mammals, particularly the North Atlantic right whale. These programs facilitate species monitoring and protection, as well as habitat identification and conservation.
By providing a marine mammal disentanglement and release program in the Bay of Fundy and adjacent waters off Nova Scotia, this program supports the fishing industry and encourages stewardship of whales among fishers and those making a living on the water.
WhaleALERT is an app designed to augment existing ship navigation tools informing mariners of the safest and most current information to reduce the risk of ship and right whale collisions.
Over the past 15 years, efforts to change marine policy have made right whales safer in their habitat, from altering shipping lanes, to establishing habitat Areas To Be Avoided.
In collaboration with the New England Aquarium, and Saint Mary's University, graduate students have been studying right whale genetics since 1988. This work has shed light on previously unknown aspects of right whale history and behaviour.
The International Maritime Organization has established Areas to Be Avoided for the protection of North Atlantic right whales. In collaboration with Dalhousie University, we are conducting a stewardship project to monitor and encourage compliance by vessel operators within these areas.
Where are North Atlantic right whale mating grounds located? What other Canadian habitat areas do they use in the winter? Our research and stewardship projects are investigating questions relating to important habitat areas that have yet to be identified.