Canada orders vessel slowdown due to whale deaths

A temporary mandatory slowdown for vessels 20 meters (65.6 feet) in length or longer has been put in effect by the Canadian government, meaning that ship speed must be reduced to no faster than 10 knots when traveling in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence.    In response to the deaths of endangered whales in the area, the Canadian government has ordered that vessels of a certain length slow down while traveling through a portion of the north Atlantic Ocean.
   Effective immediately, a temporary mandatory slowdown for vessels 20 meters (65.6 feet) in length or longer has been put in effect, government officials announced Aug. 11. Speed must be reduced to no higher than 10 knots when traveling in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence from the Quebec north shore to just north of Prince Edward Island.
   In a prepared statement, Canadian Minister of Transport Marc Garneau and Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Dominic LeBlanc said that North Atlantic right whales have been increasingly present in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in recent years and called the recent deaths of several North Atlantic right whales in the gulf “extremely concerning.”
   “Our government has already taken action and will continue to ensure that measures are in place for the protection of this species and the safety of mariners using these waters,” the statement read in part.
   “Transport Canada inspectors, with assistance from the Canadian Coast Guard’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services, will enforce this precautionary measure until the whales have migrated from the areas of concern, the statement continued.
   Those not complying with the order face a fine of up to $25,000 Canadian, equivalent to about $19,600 USD.
   “We continue to work with partners to better understand what may have caused the deaths of the North Atlantic right whales,” the ministers’ joint statement continues. “We all have a responsibility to ensure that our marine resources are protected for future generations, and must take every step we can to help prevent whale deaths. As we take further concrete steps today, we continue to consider all options to help prevent future whale deaths.”