Canadian efforts intensify to shield North Atlantic right whales

The Canadian government says it is taking steps this summer to protect a vanishing species of whale from lethal collisions with ships in its waters. The whale is the North Atlantic right whale, which numbers only about 370. The whales give birth off the southeastern U.S. in the winter and spring and migrate north to New England and Canada to feed. Along the way, the whales face dangers including ship strikes and entanglement in commercial fishing gear. Environmental groups have long faulted the U.S. and Canadian governments for not doing enough to protect the critically endangered animals. Canada is enforcing mandatory protection measures for the whale this summer. All vessels of 42.7 feet in length or more must comply with speed restrictions in designated areas of the ocean to avoid whale strikes. It is also requesting voluntary slowdowns in other parts of the ocean.