Speed and Navigation Limits to Protect Right Whales

Summary#

The Canada Gazette notice publishes Interim Order No. 2 for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2025, made under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. The order sets temporary speed limits and navigation restrictions for many vessels in defined zones in the Gulf, coming into force May 16, 2025 and set to be repealed 30 days after it starts. The issue also lists a set of ministerial appointments and announces SRSP-306.4, Issue 7 (technical rules for radio links in the 6425–6930 MHz band).

What it does#

• Establishes named areas off the Gulf of St. Lawrence: static zones, dynamic shipping zones (with buffer areas of 5 nautical miles south and 2.5 nautical miles east/west), seasonal management areas, and a restricted area. Exact coordinates are given in the order.
• Applies to vessels longer than 13 m (length measured from the foremost to the aftermost outside of the hull).
• Sets a general maximum speed of 10 knots over ground inside static zones, dynamic zones (when a right whale is detected), and seasonal management areas.
• In the restricted area, navigation can be prohibited when the Minister determines it is necessary; where permitted for certain activities, an 8-knot limit applies to most authorized vessels.
• Lists exceptions and special cases, for example:
  • Exempts some commercial fishing vessels in waters no deeper than 36.57 m from the static-zone speed limit unless a right whale is detected and a notice is issued.
  • Exempts government vessels used for law enforcement, search and rescue, or maintaining operational readiness.
  • Allows other exceptions for research, marine-mammal response, pollution response, and fishing under specific licences.
• Triggers and timing:
  • Speed limits and navigation prohibitions are triggered by right whale detections, reports of whale deaths or injuries, or by the government being unable to carry out whale-detection activities for 7 days.
  • Typical duration after a trigger is 15 days, with rules for extensions when new detections or warnings occur (references to 7- and 8-day windows in the text).
  • Weather can temporarily suspend limits if the Minister determines suspension is needed for marine safety; suspensions do not extend the original duration.
• Repeals the earlier interim order made April 16, 2025 and is itself set to expire automatically 30 days after coming into force.
• Separately, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published SRSP-306.4, Issue 7, the standard for point-to-point fixed radio systems in the 6425–6930 MHz band; comments can be submitted using the standard change request process.
• The Gazette also lists numerous ministerial appointments and styling changes (names and titles are given in the publication).

Who's affected#

• Marine operators and crews of vessels longer than 13 m, including:
  • Cargo ships, tankers, ferries, cruise ships and larger workboats.
  • Many commercial fishing vessels (some fishing vessels are exempt in shallow waters but can be caught by limits if whales are detected).
• Port authorities, ship operators, pilotage services, and scheduling/planning personnel who manage transit times.
• Fisheries and marine researchers, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans staff involved in detection, response, and issuing navigational warnings.
• Indigenous fishers using communal fishing licences (some exceptions apply but they are mentioned specifically).
• Radio equipment manufacturers, system installers, and network planners who use or plan links in the 6425–6930 MHz band (because of the new SRSP technical standard).
• The broader public along the Gulf coast may notice changes to ferry schedules or shipping patterns; exact enforcement and penalty details are not explained in the notice.

Why it matters#

• The measures aim to reduce the risk of ship strikes and disturbance to the endangered North Atlantic right whale by slowing or restricting vessels in places and times when whales are present or at heightened risk.
• For mariners and shipping businesses, the order can mean slower transits, route changes, brief closures of specific areas, and possible impacts on schedules and costs while the order is in effect.
• For coastal communities and fisheries, some local fishing activity may continue but could face temporary limits if whale detections are reported.
• The radio standard publication matters to businesses and technicians that run point-to-point links; it sets the technical rules for operating in the 6425–6930 MHz band and is now the official reference for those systems.