FILE - In this March 28, 2018, file photo, a North Atlantic right whale appears at the surface of Cape Cod bay off the coast of Plymouth, Mass. The Canadian government says it is taking steps to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from encounters with fishing vessels. The whales are one of the rarest marine mammals in the world, and have struggled with high mortality in recent years, especially in Canadian waters. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Canada temporarily shuts fishing areas to help right whales

By Associated Press AP

PUBLISHED 1:49 PM ET May. 09, 2019

NEWPORT, Quebec (AP) — The Canadian government says it is taking steps to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from encounters with fishing vessels and gear.

The whales are one of the world's rarest marine mammals, and they have struggled with high mortality in recent years, especially in Canadian waters. Fisheries and Oceans Canada says it's enacting temporary fisheries closures in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and off Quebec.

The Canadian agency says the closures go into effect Tuesday afternoon and will stay in place until further notice. The agency says the closures are due to the presence of right whales in the area.

U.S. and Canadian officials have debated the proper course for protecting right whales in recent months. U.S. Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent, says Canadian protections "have got to work parallel" to U.S. efforts.