An endangered North Atlantic right whale has been spotted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, causing a temporary fishing closure in parts of the waters.

A surveillance aircraft spotted the whale north of the Magdalen Islands, prompting a 15-day closure in specific fishing grids in the area.

Researchers estimate there are less than 350 North Atlantic right whales left in the world.

Two surveillance flights between days 9 and 15 of the closure with no right whales being detected are required before fishing can resume in the area.