Kim Elmslie

The population of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales isn't declining as fast as it was five years ago, but researchers say the latest numbers show the species is still having a tough time surviving and reproducing.

There are now fewer than 366 right whales left in the world, according to researchers, and there have been 21 known right whale deaths in Canadian waters between 2017 and 2020.

A conservation group is calling on the Canadian and U.S. governments to take action to protect North Atlantic right whales after new data revealed a sharp decline in the animal's population.

Canada has rolled out new measures to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, but federal officials insisted on Thursday, February 28, 2020, the rules won't lead to more of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Bay of Fundy being closed to fishing.

An ocean advocacy group is calling for unified action from Canadian and U.S. governments to protect the dwindling North Atlantic right whale population from extinction.

Early analysis of vessel speeds in the Cabot Strait shows that more than two-thirds are not complying with a voluntary speed restriction meant to protect endangered right whales that migrate through the area.