Right whale protections in Gulf of St. Lawrence

Summary#

This issue of the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 22 (May 31, 2025) publishes several government notices. Key items are an Instrument of Advice dated May 13, 2025 listing federal ministerial appointments and title changes; Interim Order No. 2 for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2025 (comes into force May 16, 2025) that sets vessel speed and navigation controls; and the publication of Standard Radio System Plan SRSP-306.4, Issue 7 for the 6425–6930 MHz radio band.

What it does#

• Appointments
  • Publishes an Instrument of Advice dated May 13, 2025 that lists federal cabinet ministers and several formal styling/title changes for ministerial roles. Examples include Chrystia Freeland to be styled Minister of Transport and Internal Trade and François‑Philippe Champagne to be styled Minister of Finance and National Revenue. The full list of names and styles is in the notice.
• Protection for North Atlantic right whales
  • Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, the Interim Order No. 2 for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2025:
    • Applies to vessels longer than 13 m.
    • Establishes permanent "static zones", seasonal management areas and several named "dynamic shipping zones" and a restricted area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
    • Sets a general speed limit of 10 knots over ground inside static zones, seasonal management areas, and in dynamic zones when a right whale is detected or when the rule is activated by authorities.
    • Creates a restricted area where navigation can be prohibited entirely by navigational warning; certain vessels are exempted but those exempted (other than some government vessels) must follow an 8‑knot limit while the restriction is in effect.
    • Describes buffer distances (extends 5 nautical miles south and 2.5 nautical miles east and west of a dynamic zone) and rules for how long speed limits last (typically 15 days after detection, with provisions for extension).
    • Repeals an earlier interim order (from April 16, 2025) and states it will be repealed automatically 30 days after it comes into force (or sooner if revoked).
• Radio technical standard
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published Standard Radio System Plan SRSP‑306.4, Issue 7, which sets minimum technical requirements for fixed line‑of‑sight point‑to‑point radio systems (including studio‑to‑transmitter links) in the 6425–6930 MHz band. The document is now official and available online; comments can be submitted via the Standard Change Request form.

Who's affected#

• Mariners and shipping operators, including commercial carriers, ferry services and private vessel operators for any vessels over 13 m operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Coastal communities and marine industries (port operators, pilots, tug operators) that use routes crossing the named zones.
• Commercial fishers and Indigenous fishers: the order exempts some fishing activities but also allows authorities to apply speed limits to fishing vessels in certain circumstances.
• Marine tour operators and whale‑watching vessels (may need to change routes or speeds).
• Search and rescue and government vessels (some exemptions exist).
• Marine researchers and organizations involved in right‑whale monitoring or funded whale research (some research vessels are exempted).
• Telecom and broadcast equipment manufacturers, network planners and operators that use or plan links in the 6425–6930 MHz band.
• The federal public and stakeholders tracking cabinet responsibilities and ministerial portfolios.

Why it matters#

• The interim order aims to reduce ship strikes and other human risks to the endangered North Atlantic right whale by slowing or redirecting larger vessels where whales are present. That can directly affect transit times, schedules and route planning for commercial shipping and some local marine activities.
• The rules include clear geographical zones and automatic triggers tied to whale detections and to gaps in detection capability. That means restrictions can appear or disappear quickly depending on monitoring results, so mariners need to watch navigational warnings and notices to fish harvesters.
• The new radio standard gives companies and engineers updated technical rules for deploying point‑to‑point microwave links in the 6425–6930 MHz band. That helps with planning and equipment choices for communications infrastructure.
• The published list of ministerial appointments clarifies who holds which federal responsibilities and the formal titles that may be used in communications and administration.