New documentary hopes to bring plight of North Atlantic right whale to wider audience
Global News
'Last of the Right Whales' documents the efforts to protect and restore the population of the dwindling whale species hurt by entanglements in fishing gear and ship collisions.
There has been no shortage of media coverage of the plight of the endangered North Atlantic right whale, but documentary filmmaker Nadine Pequeneza felt there was still something missing in the fight to save the species.
“You can’t really appreciate something unless you at least see it and get to know it,” Pequeneza said this week ahead of the theatrical opening of her latest film, “Last of the Right Whales.”
“So we hope this film introduces people to the North Atlantic right whale, makes them aware of what’s at risk here.”
There is plenty at risk. The U.S.-based North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium reported in October that the species’ population dropped to 336 in 2020, an eight per cent decrease from 2019, when the population was estimated at 366 animals. In fact, the species has been on a downward trend since 2011, when there were 481 whales, according to the consortium.
For Pequeneza, the documentary brings viewers closer to the mysterious animal and explores how humanity can be a part of the species’ resurgence.
“For most North Atlantic right whales, the majority of deaths are not from natural causes, they’re from human activities, shipping and fishing,” the Toronto-based Pequeneza said in an interview. “Our hope is that we raise awareness about the species and the threats that they’re facing and how we are responsible for the potential extinction of this species.”
“Last of the Right Whales” is opening this weekend for screenings in select Canadian theatres to coincide with World Whale Day on Sunday. The film documents the efforts of several groups and individuals to protect and restore the population of the dwindling whale species hurt by entanglements in fishing gear and ship collisions.
This month, Oceana Canada called on the federal government to impose mandatory speed limits in the Cabot Strait, between Cape Breton and Newfoundland, to prevent ship strikes as right whales migrate to feeding grounds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
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