A federal fund to help species at risk is spending more than $2.5 million to protect all species of whales on the BC coast.
“We’re proud of the results achieved through projects supported by the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk, which aim to protect aquatic species at risk,” said Fisheries and Oceans Canada Minister Diane Lebouthillier in a statement. “However, there is still work to be done. That’s why it’s crucial that the Government of Canada continues to support initiatives essential to the preservation and restoration of these vulnerable species.”
The Canadian Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk is funding three coastal projects, including $896,450 for the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s work with prawn and crab fishers to reduce whale entanglements in their fishing gear.
In Active Pass, the W̱SÁNEĆ (wh-say-nech) Leadership Council is getting $650,000 in funding for its Marine Guardian program to add four new thermal imaging systems to the existing whale detection network, to help reduce ship strikes.
And on the North Island, the North Coast Cetacean Society will receive $980,000 to expand its underwater hydrophone network, and to add an acoustic alert system to notify vessels when whales are near.
There are 10 projects funded around BC, you can see the full list here.
