Right whales : similar measures for 2019

One area will be closed to fishing activities for the season beginning April 28, or earlier if a right whale is detected there. The season-long closure area is roughly 63% smaller than that of 2018 and corresponds to the area where 90% of right whale sightings were made last summer.

Temporary closure areas have also been designated. A closure occurs when at least one right whale is seen in the area. The area will then be closed for a period of 15 days, during which all fishing gear must be taken out of the water.

In response to requests from the lobster fisheries, shallow areas (20 fathoms or less) will automatically be closed only if a right whale is also observed in shallow waters.

Speed ​​limit zones of 10 knots will be reinstated beginning April 28 for commercial vessels 20 metres and more. A regular speed corridor will be established and will only be closed in the event right whales are observed, which will notably allow cruise and supply vessels to easily reach coastal regions without necessarily altering their schedules.

All measures are in response to the 2017 right whale mortality episode when 12 carcasses were discovered in Canadian waters. In order to maintain its seafood export permits and comply with its Species at Risk legislation, the Government of Canada established emergency measures during the 2017 season, introduced more stringent measures in 2018 and adapted them this year.