Regulatory and Voluntary Measures
Overview of main measures:
Transport Canada Regulatory Measure for Protecting Right Whales
Transport Canada is committed to the protection and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale. Measures are being taken to help protect this endangered species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These measures, which include static and dynamic speed limit zones, are reviewed on an annual basis. They have been developed in close collaboration with the maritime industry, non-governmental organizations, academia, First Nations and other federal ministries.
Voluntary Slowdown in Cabot Strait
The Government of Canada is committed to the protection of the North Atlantic right whale—an iconic endangered species with approximately 336 remaining in the world. As they migrate in and out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, vessel traffic management measures are in place to help reduce their interactions with vessels.
In addition to mandatory vessel traffic management measures, Transport Canada has implemented a voluntary slowdown in the Cabot Strait
Click here to read more on the vessel traffic management measures
Voluntary Measures of the Working Group on Marine Traffic and Protection of Marine Mammals (G2T3M)
The Group on Marine Traffic and Protection of Marine Mammals (G2T3M) is an umbrella group of organizations with the objective of identifying potential solutions for reducing the shipping-related risks faced by marine mammals in the St. Lawrence Estuary while at the same time taking into account the operational constraints and security concerns of the maritime industry. Created in 2011, it is made up of marine protection and conservation organizations, the academic community, governmental agencies and the shipping industry.
Since 2013, voluntary measures have been implemented in the St. Lawrence Estuary between Pointe à Boisvert and Cap-de-la-Tête-au-Chien in order to lower the risks of collisions between merchant ships and whales and to minimize the impact of noise on belugas. These measures comprise a slow-down area, an avoidance area, a caution area and a recommended course. To view a map illustrating the measures and further details about these measures, click here.
Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations
Consult the following link to familiarize yourself with the Marine Activities in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park Regulations. To report a collision with or disturbance to a marine mammal within the boundaries of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, communicate with Parks Canada wardens at 1 866-508-9888.
Other Whale Protection Measures
Reporting North Atlantic Right Whales
Spotting and reporting North Atlantic right whales. Learn how to report your right whale sighting by clicking Reporting right whales to Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Whale News
To learn everything about St. Lawrence Whales, visit Whales Online
