Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced Monday that two right whales were spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on May 3 by a surveillance aircraft, studying the animals.
The North Atlantic right whales have returned to Canadian waters after 10 calves were observed in U.S. waters in 2020, said DFO in a statement.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, DFO said it will continue in its effort to protect North Atlantic right whales, which are approximately only 400 in number. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] “Conservation and Protection aircraft are currently monitoring fishing areas for North Atlantic right whales and will monitor any fishery closure areas to ensure compliance with the law,” said DFO.