A northern right whale recently spotted and caught on camera feeding off Red Point Head on the Bonavista Peninsula is cause for great excitement, but also some concern.
Dr. Jack Lawson says they’ve been keeping their eyes open for the rare creatures, which have been known to enter waters off the province’s south coast in the past.
He says while it is very rare and exciting to see a right whale off the north coast of the island, it does cause some concern. The animals like to feed on the surface, which makes them prone to boat strikes.
He says the issue is that people might not be keeping their eyes open if the right whale is in an area where it’s not expected to be.
DFO has put fish harvesters on alert, but as of Friday, no special advisories had been issued closing the area to fishing.
Here is a head-on image of the north Atlantic right whale skim feeding close to shore in Bonavista by Eric Abbott. See how the baleen has a gap in the front to allow a continuous stream of water + food to stream into its mouth. Take care boaters as this whale may be distracted! pic.twitter.com/VQQCr4NVC4
— Dr. Jack Lawson (@drjwlawson) September 19, 2019
