North Atlantic Right Whale trapped in fishing gear / Submitted: Dept. Fisheries and Oceans (File photo)
The federal government has lifted speed restrictions in shipping lanes in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Transport Canada implemented the restrictions on June 26 to help protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
Officials say after more than 240 hours of flight surveillance, no whales have been seen in the shipping lanes.
“Although we are allowing vessels to transit at safe operating speeds in the designated shipping lanes, if even one North Atlantic right whale is spotted, we will immediately implement another slowdown,” said Transport Minister Marc Garneau in a statement.
.@Transport_gc: Effective immediately, vessels are allowed to proceed at safe operational speeds in all designated shipping zones around Anticosti while we continue enhanced surveillance. #rightwhales https://t.co/zos67MxeiZ
— GC Newsroom (@NewsroomGC) August 2, 2019
During the slowdown period, the department said vessels were taking more direct routes through the gulf instead of using shipping lanes since the speed limit was the same throughout the area.
They said this resulted in more marine traffic coming closer to known whale locations.
“With safe operational speed limits in the shipping lanes, marine vessels will be encouraged to take routes further away from the whales,” said a statement.
Officials said vessels have been “highly compliant” with the speed restrictions, but three have been fined for ignoring the mandatory slowdown.
A total of eight North Atlantic right whales have been found dead in Canadian waters this year.
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