On October 6, a dead Minke whale washed ashore on Martinique Beach.
This followed close on the heels of the discovery of a dead fin whale
in New Brunswick. In other countries, such a discovery would prompt
authorities to conduct an investigation to determine, among other
things, cause of death. A notification would be sent to the
International Whaling Commission, under which all whales are
protected.
On the east coast of Canada, however, such a discovery prompts no
response at all. Rescue organizations lack resources to carry out such
investigations. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has the
resources, but lacks the will.
In April, dozens of dead gray seal pups washed ashore on Nova Scotia
beaches. In other countries, protocols exist directing such incidents
are worthy of investigation. The DFO, however, declared it unnecessary
to investigate the cause of the massive die-off.
It is shameful that the DFO, which is tasked with protecting our
oceans and all life therein, is not interested in determining the cause
of mysterious deaths of marine mammals on the east coast of Canada.
—Bridget Curran, Halifax
This article appears in Oct 15-21, 2009.