Dear Member,
This CL provides an update of several recent developments regarding North Atlantic right whales in Canadian waters on the East Coast.
REQUEST TO AVOID KNOWN LOCATION OF WHALES
A group of North Atlantic right whales (NARW) has been spotted on the southern end of the Fundian Valley (see map below, last known location LAT N 42°07’37.6″LONG W 66°06’29.6″.) TC requests vessels to please avoid the area if possible. If not possible, vessels requested to proceed with caution by voluntarily slowing to 10 knots in and around the area when possible, to decrease the risk of a vessel colliding with one of these endangered whales.
MAP: LOCATION OF NARW AGGREGATION OBSERVED 6/1/2022, AND ROSEWAY BASIN ATBA (GREEN POLYGON)
ROSEWAY BASIN ATBA:
As a reminder, the Roseway Basin Area to Be Avoided (ATBA), visible as the green polygon on the map above is active annually June 1st – December 31. This was implemented by the IMO in 2007.
If passage through this area is required between June 1 and December 31, vessels should increase vigilance for whales and consider decreasing vessel speed to 10 knots, when safe to do so. NARW may be feeding or transiting in this Critical Habitat. More information is available on page 7 of NOTMAR Annual Edition 2022.
CABOT STRAIT VOLUNTARY SLOWDOWN
We are pleased to report that participation in the Trial Voluntary Slowdown in Cabot Strait over the first 5 weeks of the Spring slowdown was 57%, which is higher than for the same period (55%) in 2021. Thank you for your continued efforts to protect the NARW as they migrate through this area and into the Gulf of St Lawrence.
INTERACTIVE MAP OF NARW OBSERVATIONS
A new interactive map of NARW observations in Canada, called Whale Insight, was recently launched by DFO. This tool allows users to see the locations and times when NARW have been observed. See sample below, which shows NARW observations over the past 14 days.
Please contact the undersigned with questions.
Sincerely,
Miako Ushio
Manager, Enviornmental and Regulatory Affairs