What Canada does

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Research activities

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"North Atlantic right whales remain at risk, and we need to do everything we can to protect them from human threats. Over the last two years, Canada has proven humans and right whales can co-exist successfully. By working together, we can ensure these beautiful animals are protected while putting world-class, sustainable seafood on dinner tables in Canada and around the globe. Canada's right whale protection measures are here to stay."

The Honourable Joyce Murray

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Minister of Transport

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“With only about 336 North Atlantic right whales remaining in the world, our Government is more than ever committed to protecting and supporting the recovery of this iconic species. This is why we continue to incorporate the most recent research and analysis into our vessel traffic management measures, which cover an area of more than 72,000 square kilometres, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Our government also relies on the efforts of the maritime and fishing industries to limit the risks of their activities on North Atlantic right whales.”

The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport

Overview

The 2024 fishing measures will take effect in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as soon as the crab fisheries open. Measures will continue to be applied in fall and winter fisheries if whales are detected in areas where fixed-gear fisheries are operating.

The vessel traffic management measures will be in effect from April 20 to November 15, 2024.

Transport Canada issued four penalties last year for non-compliance with the mandatory speed restriction. Vessel owners have 30 days to pay the penalty or to ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of the violation or the amount of the penalty.

Budget 2018 included a $167.4 million Whales Initiative to help protect and support the recovery of endangered whale species in Canada, notably the North Atlantic right whale, the Southern Resident killer whale, and the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga. Under this fund, $1 million per year in ongoing funding, and an additional $4.5 million over four years, were committed to further enhance the Marine Mammal Response Program, which responds to marine mammals in distress, including disentanglement of North Atlantic right whales.

CANADIAN GOVERMENT ACTIONS

North Atlantic Right Whales MANAGEMENT MEASURES 2024

Maintaining 2021 closure protocols
Increasing the number of near real-time acoustic devices for monitoring and detection
Temporary and season-long fishing area closures
Provisions for waters shallower than 20 fathoms
Effective tracking of fishing gear
Mandatory reporting for lost gear
Mandatory reporting of interactions between vessels or fishing gear and marine mammals
Exploring new fishing technologies and methods
Continued monitoring and reporting
Engagement with stakeholders

Right whale will need to be visually or acoustically detected again in the closed area during days 9-15 of the closure before an extension is triggered.

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Protecting NARW's from collisions with vessels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Static zones
Temporary speed restriction in shipping lanes
Seasonal management areas
Restricted area
Trial voluntary speed restriction in Cabot Strait
Voluntary slowdown period
Monitoring and reporting tools
Post-season voluntary slowdown period
Compliance and enforcement

Modified measures since 2022:

The mandatory restricted area in and near the Shediac Valley will be refined by size, location, and duration to better protect right whales that are anticipated to be present in great numbers in this area during the summer months. Timing and exact coordinates of this zone are being confirmed and will be communicated to mariners once finalized.

The speed limit exemption in waters of less than 20 fathoms will be expanded to all commercial fishing vessels.

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CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ACTIONS

Fishery notices related to North Atlantic Right Whales

Acoustic detections of whales by hydrophones (underwater microphones), and visual sightings of right whales from vessels and aircraft, will trigger temporary and season-long fishing closures.

Learn more

On alert for whales Interactive map on the latest right whale observations

This map contains aerial, acoustic, and opportunistic data from a number of sources of survey groups in Atlantic Canada. It is updated every five minutes.

Right whales are constantly on the move. This map does not necessarily provide an accurate picture of all right whales in Atlantic Canada or their exact, present location. What the map does show are verified, reported sightings of right whales during the past 14 days.

Consult Map

Canadian proactivity

2024

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Research activities

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Monitoring and surveillance activities

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Minister of Transport

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Vidéo

Overview

CANADIAN GOVERMENT ACTIONS

North Atlantic Right Whales MANAGEMENT MEASURES 2024

Protecting NARW's from collisions with vessels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT ACTIONS

Fishery notices related to North Atlantic Right Whales

On alert for whales Interactive map on the latest right whale observations

Species at Risk Act (SARA) Status

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DFO NARW Science Program

Taking action to protect Canada's endangered whales