Whale rescues put on hold

Ottawa is putting on hold efforts to free large whales trapped in fishing gear after the death Joe Howlett Monday.

DFO says it is reviewing how it responds to whale entanglements and until that review is complete, it is halting such efforts.

Meanwhile, a group of wildlife veterinarians say several North Atlantic right whale carcasses found floating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in recent weeks showed signs of blunt trauma…hit by ships.