Several organizations are concerned with the situation of wild species in the world. Certain countries adopt laws to protect species at risk. In Canada, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) determines species status. COSEWIC evaluations serve as a reference for the granting of an official Canadian status under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). A law also exists in Quebec to protect the province’s biodiversity: the Loi sur les espèces menacées et vulnérables. Organizations elsewhere in the world are concerned about species at risk. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) evaluates the situation of numerous species and works towards their conservation. In the United States, the federal Endangered Species Act protects this country’s species at risk.

Status in Canada : Threatened

In 1983, the St. Lawrence beluga population was accorded the status of "endangered" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This status was reviewed and maintained in 1997. In 2004, it has been changed for "threatened" because of new quantitative classification criteria.

There are only approximately 1000 belugas left in the St. Lawrence. Contamination by toxic chemicals, degradation and loss of habitat and disturbance by recreational activities are among the main factors affecting recovery of the population. The small size of the population and its isolation from other stocks are also worrisome because they increase the risk of extinction.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has given the status of "vulnerable species" to the beluga in Canada. The St. Lawrence beluga is on the list of priority species requiring protection under the St. Lawrence Vision 2000 Action Plan. As of 2000, it is also on the list of threatened species under Quebec law.

North Atlantic Right Whale

Status in Canada : Endangered

The population of right whales living in the western North Atlantic was evaluated in 1980, 1985, 1990 and 2003. Each time the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) granted it the status of "endangered". Despite hunting bans in the 1930's, the North Atlantic right whale does not appear to be recovering. Fewer than 325 right whales remain in the North Atlantic. Presently, 50 percent of all North Atlantic right whale deaths—with the exception of new-born calf fatalities—are due to ship strikes, while 70 percent of the population bear scars attributable to accidental entanglement in fishing gear.

The North Atlantic right whale is on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and is considered an "endangered species" in the United States under the American Endangered Species Act. It is also on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Blue Whale

Status in Canada : Endangered

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assigned the status of "endangered species" to the blue whale in 2002. In the past listed as a species of "special concern", the blue whale has climbed up two levels on the critical scale of status. Despite hunting bans in the 1950s, blue whale populations do not appear to be recovering. Various factors weigh heavily against blue whale recovery. These include pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, disturbance from increasing whale-watching activities and long-term changes in climate, which could affect the abundance of their prey (zooplankton).

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) attributed the status of "threatened species" to the blue whale. It is also considered a "threatened species" on the East Coast of the United States under the American Endangered Species Act. Finally, the blue whale appears on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Northern Bottlenose Whale

Status in Canada : Endangered

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) granted the status of "not at risk" to the Atlantic northern bottlenose whale in 1993. The Scotian Shelf population, was granted the status of "special concern" in 1996, followed by the status of "endangered" in 2002. This population is threatened by oil and gas exploration and development in and around its prime habitat near Sable Island. Beaked whales elsewhere have perished because of powerful underwater noises associated with undersea exploration and military exercises.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has given the northern bottlenose whale the status of "low risk". It is not on the American List of Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act nor on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Harbour Porpoise

Status in Canada : Special Concern

In 1990, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assigned the status of "threatened species" to the Northwest Atlantic harbour porpoise population. In 2003, this status was revised and the population is now considered of "special concern". Due to reduced fishing activities and measures to reduce bycatch in the Bay of Fundy, COSEWIC estimates that fewer porpoises are killed accidentally. However, the Committee maintains that bycatch remains a potentially limiting factor for this population and that further monitoring is required.

As for the World Conservation Union (IUCN), it classifies the harbour porpoise as a "vulnerable species". In the United States, the harbour porpoise is not on the List of Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act.

None of these designations apply to the sub-population of the St. Lawrence. It is, however, on the St. Lawrence Vision 2000 Action Plan’s list of priority species requiring protection. This species does not appear on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Fin Whale

Status in Canada : Special Concern

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assigned the status of "special concern" to the fin whale in 1987. The number of fin whales on Canada's East Coast, particularly those found off the Nova Scotia shelf, was considerably reduced by the hunt that ended in 1972. The lack of knowledge concerning this species is the main justification for the attribution of the proposed status.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) attributed the status of "threatened species" to the fin whale. It is considered a "threatened species" on the East Coast of the United States under the American Endangered Species Act. Finally, the fin whale appears on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Killer Whale

Orcinus orca

Status in Canada : Special Concern

The Northwest Atlantic/Eastern Arctic population of killer whales was classed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) in the "data deficient" category in 2001. It was re-examined in 2008 and designated "special concern". Threats to this population include hunting in Greenland, shipping traffic and contaminants. This population's small size, life history and social attributes contribute to its fragility.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has given it the status of "data deficient". The Northwest Atlantic killer whale is not on the American List of Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act nor on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Humpback Whale

Status in Canada : Not at Risk

The Northwest Atlantic humpback whale population was designated "threatened" in 1982 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), then of "special concern" in 1985. In 2003, its status was revised and this population is now considered "not at risk". COSEWIC maintains that fewer humpback whales are becoming entangled in fishing nets and teams involved in disentanglement have become more proficient.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has given it the status of "vulnerable". It is also considered an "endangered species" in the United States under the American Endangered Species Act. Finally, the humpback whale appears on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

White-beaked Dolphin

Status in Canada : Not at Risk

In 1998, the white beaked dolphin was evaluated and given the status of "not at risk" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This species is not on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species nor on the American List of Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act. Neither is it on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Sperm Whale

Status in Canada : Not at Risk

In 1996, the North Atlantic population of sperm whales was evaluated and given the status of "not at risk" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

As for the World Conservation Union (IUCN), it classifies the sperm whale as a "vulnerable species". It is also considered a "vulnerable species" under the American Endangered Species Act. This species does not appear on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Long-finned Pilot Whale

Status in Canada : Not at Risk

In 1994, the long-finned pilot whale of the Atlantic was evaluated and given the status of "not at risk" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This species is not on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species nor on the American List of Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act. Neither is it on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin

Status in Canada : Not at Risk

In 1991, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin was evaluated and given the status of "not at risk" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This species is neither on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species nor on the American List of Threatened and Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act. Neither is it on the list of species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under Quebec law.

Minke Whale

Status in Canada : Not at Risk