Canada lifts temporary speed restriction in Gulf of St. Lawrence

The temporary speed restriction in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence was lifted because there have been no sightings of North Atlantic right whales in the area of the slowdown in recent weeks, Transport Canada said last Thursday.    The temporary, mandatory slowdown for vessels in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence was lifted last Thursday.
   Transport Canada had implemented the speed restriction on Aug. 11, 2017 for vessels 20 meters or more to a maximum of 10 knots due to the increased number of North Atlantic right whales observed in the western Gulf of St. Lawrence.
   The speed restriction was lifted because there have been no sightings of North Atlantic right whales in the area of the slowdown in recent weeks, Transport Canada reported last Thursday.
   Transport Canada issued fines for violating the speed restriction, and said it continues to investigate all reported cases of non-compliance while the speed restriction was in effect.
   Just this Monday, Transport Canada announced that a $6,000 penalty was issued to the Mississauga Express for alleged non-compliance while the speed restriction was in effect.
   In 2017, 12 North Atlantic right whales had died in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The global population of North Atlantic right whales currently stands around 450.
   Looking ahead, Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau said, “We will continue to monitor the situation and will impose the speed restriction again if the whales migrate back to the area.”