U.S. senators want proof Canada protecting whales, but scientist questions move

HALIFAX — A call by a group of Democratic senators who argue a U.S. agency should audit the job Canada is doing to protect endangered whales is drawing a cool reaction from an American scientist who promotes their conservation.

The 11 senators, led by Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, cite the dire status of North Atlantic right whales as a reason to put some pressure on Canada.

There are only about 450 of the right whales left and through the past year they suffered 17 deaths, with 12 of those in Canadian waters.

The senators said in an April 25 letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the agency should conduct a review of Canada’s right whale conservation standards, and consider prohibitions on some Canadian seafood imports if they are too weak.

However, Regina Asmutis-Silvia, a biologist with Plymouth, Massachusetts-based marine mammal advocacy group Whale and Dolphin Conservation, said cracking down on Canada is diverting attention from her own nation’s responsibilities. 

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She said it makes more sense to focus on greater protections along her country’s coast, and said that little has been done over the past year to upgrade and increase enforcement of American standards to protect the whales.

Preservation of the right whale ignited conservation groups and marine scientists in the past year because of all the deaths, coupled with low fertility.

Both American and Canadian scientists have warned the species could be extinct in less than 25 years if it continues on its current course.

The other senators involved in Markey’s effort are Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware.

Kate Brogan, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said the agency is looking into the senators’ request for a review.

— With files from The Associated Press.

The Canadian Press