Québec, Quebec, June 6, 2013 -- The Government of Canada is implementing a pilot project of voluntary measures for commercial ships and liners, between June 1 and October 31, 2013, to reduce the risk of collisions with whales in areas of the St. Lawrence Estuary that are highly frequented for feeding. These provisions have been developed in close collaboration with marine industry stakeholders and various organizations over the last two years.

"World Oceans Day is the perfect time to highlight the efforts of the Government of Canada and the marine transportation industry to protect marine mammals while ensuring economic vitality and safety in navigable waters," said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

These temporary measures, recommended by the Working Group on Marine Traffic and Protection of Marine Mammals, are based on the most reliable information available. The exercise led to the identification of specific areas where vigilance will be heightened and speeds reduced. Specifically, these measures include a speed limit of 10 knots at the head of the Laurentian Channel off Tadoussac and an area to be avoided downstream Les Escoumins, which will significantly reduce the risk of collisions with marine mammals.

"Implementing this measure in the same year as the Saguenay–Saint-Laurent Marine Park's 15th anniversary is excellent news, as it helps better protect marine mammals. This part of the St. Lawrence Estuary is well known for its resident St. Lawrence beluga population and the wide diversity of marine mammals that migrate there to feed," said the Honourable Peter Kent, Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

Co-chaired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency, the Working Group on Marine Traffic and Protection of Marine Mammals is made up of representatives from St. Lawrence Shipoperators, the Corporation of the Lower St. Lawrence Pilots, the École de technologie supérieure, the Shipping Federation of Canada, the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals, the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council, and the Université de Montréal. The Canadian Coast Guard and Transport Canada are also involved in an advisory capacity.

For more information on these voluntary measures, consult the Notice to Mariners at www.notmar.gc.ca.

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Information:
Sylvi Racine
Communications Advisor
Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Quebec Region
418-775-0744
www.twitter.com/DFO_CCG_Quebec

Dominique Gobeil
Manager, External Relations
Parks Canada
418-473-6439
www.facebook.com/pages/Saguenay-St-Lawrence-Marine-Park/142497399207325

Barbara Mottram
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474