Entangled Right Whale Spotted in Gulf of St. Lawrence After Cape Cod Sighting

The right whale is seen gear-free in Cape Cod Bay on April 14, 2026 Photo Credit: New England Aquarium, taken under NOAA permit #25739-01

A young North Atlantic right whale observed in Cape Cod Bay just two months ago may now require rescue after aerial surveys detected it entangled in fishing gear in Canadian waters.

On June 8, observers working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada spotted the whale near Shippigan, New Brunswick in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with rope caught in its mouth and trailing behind it's body. Officials noted that if the animal is relocated and weather permits, crews will attempt to remove the gear.

The whale - catalogued as #5192, a five-year-old male - had been seen gear-free in Cape Cod Bay as recently as April 21, according to the New England Aquarium. Researchers there noted that the animal's wounds, behavior, and rope-rubbing marks suggest the entanglement occurred recently.

"It is always disheartening to hear the news of another entangled right whale, and Catalog #5192 is no different. As it appears this is a relatively recent entanglement, we are hopeful that rescue teams will be able to safely disentangle him so that the impacts of the event are minimized," said Heather Pettis, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium.

The Canadian Whale Institute reported that search efforts have so far been unsuccessful, hampered by poor weather conditions. Should the whale be found, responders plan to attach a satellite tag to the fishing gear to monitor its movements ahead of any disentanglement attempt.

Entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes remain the primary causes of mortality for the species. The New England Aquarium estimates that more than 86% of right whales will become entangled at least once during their lifetimes.

Source: CBS Boston / Neal Riley, June 14, 2026. Reposted with credit to the original reporting. Link