Question Period Note: Implications of North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) Protection Measures on CCG Operations

Implications of North Atlantic Right Whales (NARW) Protection Measures on CCG Operations

The safety of mariners is the Canadian Coast Guard’s top priority. The Coast Guard provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) services within Canadian waters.

Coast Guard uses electronic aids to navigation to delineate the boundaries of Transport Canada’s Dynamic Shipping Zones and NARW protection measures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Coast Guard uses navigational warnings to inform mariners of the status of speed restriction zones and monitors vessel traffic in specific seasonal and mandatory speed restriction zones in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Vessels greater than 13 meters in length found travelling at a speed greater than ten knots will be contacted by Coast Guard informing them of a speed contravention.

Coast Guard vessels have been directed to not exceed a sailing speed of nine knots within the North Atlantic Right whale dynamic shipping zones, lower than the 10 knot requirement to ensure compliance and lead by example.

The Coast Guard will only exceed speed restrictions when responding to an emergency call, such as a search and rescue incident.

• The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) leads the maritime component of the Federal Search and Rescue (SAR) system, as well as monitors distress communications through the Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) centres and relays information to rescue centres for action.
• Speed restriction zones are outlined in monthly Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs), which are published by the CCG. The status of these zones are broadcasted through Navigational Warnings (NAVWARNs), which are published by the CCG's MCTS Centres.
• The Coast Guard operates three Joint Rescue Coordination Centres, with the Canadian Armed Forces in Halifax (Nova Scotia), Trenton (Ontario), and Victoria (British Columbia), which are manned 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
• Certain Coast Guard SAR stations are located in zones that have North Atlantic Right Whale measures requiring reduced vessel speeds. Although reduced speed measures are important, there is an impact on Coast Guard’s ability to ensure the readiness of its assets in these areas.
• Coast Guard’s Marine Communication and Traffic Services communicates proactively and regularly with mariners about measures to reduce the risk of vessel strikes with North Atlantic Right whales and monitor mariners compliance with voluntary measures, as directed by Transport Canada.

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