The death of that fisherman while trying to rescue a Right Whale this week has prompted an American agency to suspend its whale rescue efforts.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has suspended all large whale rescue efforts until further notice because of the death of Joe Howlett off Shippigan. It says the safety of rescuers is a top priority.
Meanwhile, DFO closed the snow crab fishery in the gulf two days early yesterday saying it was to protect the whales.