The well-being of Canada’s aquatic species and their habitats depends on the preservation and protection of a rich and diverse maritime ecosystem. As vessel hits and entanglements in fishing gear pose the greatest threats to the survival of North Atlantic right whales, the Government of Canada is once again implementing annual safeguards in place to protect these whales. The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transportation, declared that the fishery and vessel management regulations for the 2024 season will not change from the previous one. These actions aid in the continued preservation and repopulation of the species.
The Protective Measures Of The Government
To mitigate the risks posed by anthropogenic activities to North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Bay of Fundy, Roseway Basin, and other relevant areas, the Canadian government introduces adaptive closure protocols for non-tended fixed gear, trap, and pot fisheries. These protocols are designed to respond dynamically to the presence of right whales, as indicated by visual or acoustic detection. Additionally, stringent measures such as gear marking requirements, lost gear reporting mandates and marine mammal disturbance reporting obligations are being enforced.
Additionally, vessel traffic management measures are also being applied, including speed restrictions across much of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in areas where right whales are detected. Furthermore, an area restricted to vessels exceeding 13 meters in length has been designated in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, where larger aggregations of right whales have been observed. Commencing this year, vessel traffic management measures will come into effect as of April 17th. Moreover, efforts are underway to finalize a National Whalesafe Gear Strategy, which will outline subsequent actions to implement on-demand fishing gear technologies aimed at further safeguarding these critically endangered marine mammals.
Officials’ Responses
The Minister of Fisheries, Diane Lebouthillier, said that the government will strive to maintain the balance between protecting the North Atlantic right whales and continuing the fisheries, as they play a vital role in the coastal economy. He shared that the reports in October were encouraging and showed a halt in the population decline of the whales.
The Minister of Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, reminded the importance of working together to safeguard the marine ecosystem, as it enabled the fishing and marine transport industries.
Other Announcements By The Government
The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium projected in October 2023 that 356 North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) will stabilize in 2022, indicating a possible population rebound after years of decline. The federal Species at Risk Act lists this endangered species, and the government of Canada has shown a strong commitment to its recovery and protection. Fishery management measures are scheduled to be undertaken following this commitment, coinciding with the beginning of the snow crab fishery in Crab Fishing Area 12.
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Additionally, Transport Canada’s National Aerial Surveillance Program operates aircraft to monitor specific regions of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, contributing to efforts aimed at safeguarding the NARW population. To further mitigate the risks to whales, vessel traffic management measures will be enforced from April 17 to November 15, 2024. Vessel owners should take heed, as violations of these measures could result in fines of up to a maximum of $250,000, depending on the severity of the infraction. These comprehensive measures underscore the collective efforts to protect and preserve the North Atlantic right whale population and ensure its long-term viability.