Conservationists mourn whale advocate’s death

MEMBERS of the marine community in the US and Canada said this week a Canadian fisherman who died freeing a whale from fishing gear was a longtime whale advocate who bridged gaps between fishing and conservation

Canadian fisherman Joe Howlett was killed when struck by a North Atlantic right whale. Picture: DPIPWE

MEMBERS of the marine community in the US and Canada said this week a Canadian fisherman who died freeing a whale from fishing gear was a longtime whale advocate who bridged gaps between fishing and conservation.

Joe Howlett was killed on Monday after freeing a North Atlantic right whale that had been entangled in fishing gear off New Brunswick.

A close friend of his said the 59-year-old Howlett was hit by the whale just after it was cut free and started swimming away.

Joe Howlett

Howlett’s death came as a shock to many in the maritime communities of New England and Atlantic Canada. Howlett lived on Campbello Island and he was well known in fishing and marine circles on both sides of the border.

The New England Aquarium said Howlett was a lobsterman, boat captain and whale rescue expert who helped found the Campobello Whale Rescue Team.

“Joe’s dedication to saving entangled whales was as deep as his love of fishing. He was truly a hero whose passion for the ocean transcended people and opinions,” said Scott Kraus, head of the aquarium’s right whale research program.

The aquarium said Howlett was on board a Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans response vessel and had just cut the whale loose when the accident occurred.

The aquarium said Howlett had worked with its own scientists in the past to help design fishing gear less likely to result in entanglement.

The Canadian Whale Institute posted on its Facebook page that Howlett was “committed to saving whales” and “very concerned about the state of the ocean.”

NOAA Fisheries will continue to respond to other stranded animals.