Question Period Note: Vessel Incident in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Vessel Incident in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

On Monday, May 30, a Snow crab fishing vessel operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence started taking on water due to high waves. All crew were rescued.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to work with the harvester and the Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada on any investigation into this incident.

• On Monday, May 30, a Snow crab fishing vessel operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence starting taking on water due to high waves. All crew were able to get into a life raft and were rescued.
• The vessel had 35 traps on board and was seeking to retrieve fishing gear in response to detections of endangered right whales in the area.
• In accordance with Canada’s right whale protection measures, fixed gear fisheries are required to retrieve fishing gear when right whales are detected in areas such as the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Fisheries are given a minimum of 48 hours to retrieve but are always given extra time if weather and ocean conditions present a safety risk.
• Detections that occurred Friday, May 27 led to an announcement on Saturday, May 28 for an area closure, with harvesters given 96 hours to remove gear in light of high winds.
• Detections that occurred on Sunday, May 29, led to an announcement on Monday, May 30 of an area closure, with harvesters given 72 hours to remove gear in light of high winds.
• Based on extra time and weather conditions, detections of right whales on Saturday and Sunday led to the announcement of closures in the area by June 2nd.

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