Transport Canada is committed to protecting and conserving endangered North Atlantic right whales (NARW). Since 2017, we've been taking action to help protect this iconic species from vessel collisions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a high-traffic area where right whales are often seen.
On this page
- Vessel traffic management zones
- Mandatory protection measures
- Voluntary protection measures
- Monitoring
- Compliance and enforcement
- Video: Faces of TC: Meet Michel Charron
Vessel traffic management zones
This map is only for visual representation. It’s not for navigation or enforcement. For exact mandatory zone coordinates, consult the Interim Order No. 3 for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The map shows:
- the static zones (north and south), in pink;
- the seasonal management areas, in red;
- the dynamic shipping zones (A, B, C, D and E), in green;
- the voluntary seasonal slowdown zone, in grey;
- the restricted area, in dark blue; and
- the 36.57 m (20 fathom) shallow water protocol line.
Mandatory protection measures
These measures are mandatory for all vessels 13 metres in length or more inside vessel traffic management zones. We may implement more warnings and measures based on NARW activity.
See active Navigational Warnings
Static zones
Areas subject to a constant speed limit of 10 knots over ground to protect known whale habitats.
- This doesn't apply to commercial fishing vessels in waters of less than 20 fathoms, unless right whales are present.
Seasonal management areas
Areas with specific speed regulations during peak whale presence periods.
- Speed restriction of 10 knots over ground.
- Temporary speed restriction active for 15 days after we confirm whales are present.
Dynamic shipping zones
Areas monitored for whale activity. Upon detection of right whales, speed restrictions are implemented and navigational warnings are issued to mariners.
- Temporary speed restriction of 10 knots over the ground north and south of Anticosti Island for 15 days after we confirm whales are present, or when we can't monitor whales.
Restricted area
Area where vessel access is limited or prohibited to prevent disturbances and potential collisions during period of increased whale presence.
- Speed restriction of 8 knots over the ground for vessels exempt under the 2025 interim order.
Voluntary protection measures
We ask vessels over 13 metres in length to voluntarily slow down in or avoid the areas below to further help protect right whales.
Cabot Strait
We ask vessels to voluntarily reduce speed to 10 knots over the ground during right whale migration season.
Roseway Basin Area
We ask vessels of 300 gross tonnage or more to avoid the area when possible.
See Protecting North Atlantic right whales in the Roseway Basin.
Bay of Fundy
We ask for vessels to voluntarily reduce speed to 10 knots when we detect whales near the Grand Manan Basin and the shipping lanes.
Outside Transport Canada Vessel traffic management zones
We ask vessels to voluntarily reduce speed to 10 knots over the ground when whales are detected in areas outside Vessel traffic management zones.
Gulf of St. Lawrence
We ask all vessels to voluntarily reduce speed to 10 knots over the ground from November 15 – December 31, 2025, if:
- North Atlantic right whales are detected in the area;
- maritime conditions allow your vessel to safely operate at this speed
Monitoring
We monitor parts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence for North Atlantic right whales using both visual and acoustic detection technologies.
We do visual surveillance with trained personnel using Transport Canada’s National Aerial Surveillance Program aircraft.
We do underwater acoustic surveillance using underwater gliders. North Atlantic right whale detections are reviewed and confirmed by researchers. We coordinate these surveillance efforts with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
For the most up-to-date information on North Atlantic right whale sightings and detections, visit Whale Insight.
Compliance and enforcement
We examine all potential violations. If we determine that a vessel did not follow North Atlantic right whale speed limits or entered a restricted area, vessel owners could face:
- administrative monetary penalties of up to $250,000
- a summary conviction with a fine of up to $1,000,000 and up to 18 months in prison
Compliance update
We take the speed restriction very seriously and examine all potential case of alleged non-compliance.
Numbers from November 7, 2025
Total number of vessel movements monitored in the speed restriction zones as of November 7, 2025: 9259
Total number of vessels with speed recorded above the speed limit or entering the restricted area: 259
Compliance statistics
| Status | Number of Vessels |
|---|---|
|
Closed |
245 |
|
0 |
|
|
Pending review |
12 |
|
Under Review |
2 |
|
Total |
259 |
Faces of TC: Meet Michel Charron
How is Canada helping to save one of the ocean’s most endangered giants? Learn how surveillance, speed zones, and real-time tracking protect North Atlantic Right Whales.