Marine Communications and Traffic Services

Right Whales - An Endangered Species

Maritimes Region Marine Communications & Traffic Services Officers (MCTSOs) at the Saint John MCTS Centre (Bay of Fundy) know the meaning of the words safety and pollution prevention. During the past 22 years MCTSOs at "Fundy Traffic" have monitored multiple thousands of vessel transits and 'in zone' movements, providing information and assistance to mariners of all stripes from recreational day trippers to masters of Very Large Crude Carriers Vessels (VLCCs).

The Bay of Fundy is the fishing grounds for Canada's second largest commercial fishing fleet and, in addition to this historical form of fishery, the shore based fish farming or 'aquaculture' in the area of Grand Manan, Passamaquoddy Bay and Deer Island contributes and additional $150 million plus to the area's economy each year. Tourism is a growing industry with 'the world's largest tides', whales, and coastal scenery being the major attractions for visitors from all over the globe. All it would take would be one significant incident and the entire Bay of Fundy could be an environmental disaster.

And how about the protection of the Right Whale? So named by whalers because it was the "right whale" to kill; the easy abundance and accessibility of right whales likely provided the impetus for the commercial whaling industry. Although there has been a ban on whale hunting for the Right Whale for many years, there is a constant struggle to keep them alive. The most common cause of mortality is collisions with passing ships and entanglements in fishing nets. The most optimistic reports are that there are approximately 350 Right Whales remaining on the east coast of North America. Each year from June through December, as many as 50% of these giants congregate in the southern part of the Bay of Fundy to mate, nurse their young and to feed on the abundance of plankton available there. The bad news is that the whales favorite congregating area happens to be right in the middle of the mandatory Traffic Separation Scheme. The outbound lane actually cuts diagonally across what has recently been established as a 'Whale Sanctuary' area by DFO. Moving the traffic lanes is an option that will be investigated, but moving lanes may also result in added dangers to navigation and to fishermen and would increase the transit time through the Bay of Fundy. The good news is that the whale sanctuary area happens to be situated in close proximity to the Bay of Fundy remote radar site at Tiverton, Nova Scotia. MCTSOs at Saint John observe all vessel activity in and around the sanctuary and they ensure that all vessels entering and leaving the Bay of Fundy are made aware that they will be passing through the whale sanctuary. As a vessel proceeds toward the sanctuary, the coordinates of recent whale sightings that are in close proximity to the vessel's projected track are communicated to the vessel. Recommendations are made with respect to maintaining a close watch and taking actions to minimize the risks of collisions. MCTSOs have the powers to 'direct vessels away from animals in the water' under section 562.18 of the Canada Shipping Act, but the cooperation of all mariners to date has made this unnecessary.

Protecting ships and protecting whales .. it's just all part of the MCTSO's day. The excerpts from a letter following this article further attests to this initiative.

For further information go to http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=780