North Atlantic right whales have been classified as critically endangered by an international conservation group, with the world population just over 400.

The Quebec government says residents must, as of Sunday, complete online registration forms to be able to travel through Atlantic Canada to reach the Quebec islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Environmental groups had argued the decision to extend an exploration drilling licence beyond the term limit was unlawful and lacked proper environmental oversight.

The report by the Marine Animal Response Society and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative says necropsies were done on five of the nine whales found dead between June and July 2019.

The Cabot Strait, which runs between Cape North, N.S. and Cape Ray, N.L., is an essential corridor for North Atlantic right whales migrating to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

DFO says a cluster of eight grids in the middle of the Gulf will be closed until November 15.

Federal Fisheries Minister has said the announcement of an aid package is "days away," and it would follow a $62.5-million package that was announced last month.

Fewer than 400 of the giant creatures are left, and ship strikes and fishing-gear entanglements have proven to be lethal to them.

"Conservation and Protection aircraft are currently monitoring fishing areas for North Atlantic right whales."

Officials say the changes are needed to deal with the fact that the whales' movements in Canadian waters have become difficult to predict.