This summer, keep your distance with marine mammals
With the arrival of summer, many boaters will soon be navigating in the St. Lawrence Estuary. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Quebec Region, would like to remind that it is mandatory to respect the approach distances with marine mammals. The Marine Mammal Regulations apply to all types of watercrafts, including motorboats, kayaks and paddleboards, as well as to all nautical activities.
Approach distances
In the St. Lawrence Estuary, in the presence of marine mammals that are endangered or threatened under the Species at Risk Act, such as the beluga, the North Atlantic Right Whale and the blue whale, a distance of 400 metres must be respected. For all other types of whales, dolphins and porpoises, the distance to be respected is 200 metres.
Throughout Canada, it is forbidden to injure or disturb a marine mammal, which means:
- Feeding, touching or swimming/interacting with the animal.
- Tagging or marking a marine mammal.
- Moving it, luring it or coaxing it to swim in one direction or another.
- Separating it from members of its group or coming between a marine mammal and its young.
- Positioning a boat so as to corner the animal or its group between a boat and the coast or between multiple boats.
An investigation leads to two convictions
Following a report from the public about two whale watching cruise ships that approached humpback whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary, an investigation by Fisheries and Oceans Canada fishery officers resulted in two convictions last fall. During the investigation, it was demonstrated that the two captains disturbed two humpback whales by approaching within 200 metres. Both captains pleaded guilty and were fined $2,000 each.
To report an incident
If you witness activities or behavior that contravene the law, contact Poaching Alert:
? 1-800-463-9057
➡ online: https://inter-w01.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/applications/Braconnage-Alerte/en/
If you see a marine mammal that is beached, injured, entangled in fishing gear or possibly in distress, alert the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network.
? 1-877-722-5346
