This bulletin describes the speed and navigational restriction zones that vessels must follow in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Government of Canada has established these zones to reduce the risk of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales (NARW).

Due to changing migration patterns of NARW and their increased presence in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Government of Canada has set seasonal speed restrictions in specific zones. These speed restrictions zones are defined as “static zones”, “dynamic shipping zones”, “seasonal management areas”, a “voluntary seasonal slowdown zone’’ and a “restricted area”. See the map below for details.

Note: Vessels must follow Navigational Warnings outlining the speed restrictions. The Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena Glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2026, enables the issuance of Navigational Warnings (NAVWARNs) imposing speed restrictions and navigation restrictions.

Speed restriction zones are described in monthly Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs), which are published by the Canadian Coast Guard. The status of these zones is broadcast through NAVWARNs, which are published by the Coast Guard’s Marine Communications and Traffic Services Centres.

Speed restriction zones and measures

The speed restriction zones will be effective from April 22, 2026, while the restricted area will be implemented based on whale presence.

Please check the latest NAVWARN for all speed restrictions currently in effect.

Speed Restriction Measures for 2026

These restrictions are in effect from April 22 to November 15, 2026.

Non-application

The measures described in this bulletin do not apply to:

• a) a vessel in distress or providing assistance to a person or a vessel in distress;
• b) a government vessel being used
  • (i) for law enforcement activities;
  • (ii) for search and rescue operations; or
  • (iii) to ensure the competency of the crew or the operational readiness of the vessel or crew with respect to such activities or operations.

Static zones

In the static zones, all vessels above 13.0 m in length overall (LOA) must proceed at a speed of not more than 10.0 knots over the ground.

Exclusions

Air cushion vessels operated by or on behalf of the Government of Canada that are engaged in ice-clearing activities from April to June in and around Chaleur Bay are exempted when in operation.

36.57 m (20-fathoms) shallow water protocol exclusion

Vessels engaged in any commercial fishing activity may proceed at a safe operational speed in waters not more than 36.57 m (20 fathom) deep within the static zones.

If a NAVWARN states that at least one North Atlantic right whale has been detected in waters within a static zone or its buffer zone that are not more than 36.57 m deep, the speed limit of 10.0 knots over the ground will apply in the concerned zone(s) to all vessels engaged in commercial fishing activities above 13.0 m in length overall (LOA). The speed restriction will be in effect for 15 days after the day on which the whale was detected. In the event of a new North Atlantic right whale detection occurring in the last 7 days of the 15-day slowdown period, the speed restriction will be extended for an additional 15 days from the date of the new detection. This would continue until no North Atlantic right whales are detected. The buffer zones associated with the static zones are located 5 nautical miles north and south of their adjacent border in waters less than 36.57 m deep.

Coordinates for the northern static zone:

• 50° 20’ N 065° 00’ W
• 49° 13’ N 065° 00’ W
• 48° 40’ N 064° 13’ W
• 48° 40’ N 062° 40’ W
• 48⁰ 03’ N 061⁰ 07.5’ W
• 47⁰ 58.1’ N 061⁰ 03.5’ W
• 48° 00’ N 061° 00’ W
• 49° 04’ N 061° 00’ W
• 49° 04’ N 062° 00’ W
• 49° 43’ N 063° 00’ W
• 50° 20’ N 063° 00’ W

Coordinates for the southern static zone:

• 48° 40’ N 065° 00’ W
• 48° 40’ N 062° 40’ W
• 48° 03’ N 061° 07.5’ W
• 47° 58.1’ N 061° 03.5’ W
• 47° 10’ N 062° 30’ W
• 47° 10’ N 065° 00’ W

Dynamic shipping zones

There are five dynamic shipping zones (DSZ) located in the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) north and south of Anticosti Island: A, B, C, D and E.

Speed restrictions in the dynamic shipping zones

When a North Atlantic right whale is detected in a dynamic shipping zone or in the buffer zones, located 5 nautical miles south or 2.5 nautical miles from the eastern and western edges of the dynamic shipping zones:

• All vessels will be notified via a NAVWARN; and
• Vessels above 13.0 m in length overall (LOA) must proceed at a speed of not more than 10.0 knots over the ground within that zone.

When a NAVWARN is issued implementing a speed restriction in one or more dynamic shipping zone(s), vessels above 13.0 m in length (LOA) must not exceed a speed of 10.0 knots over the ground. Even though dynamic shipping zones overlap with static zones, vessels can travel at a safe operational speed in dynamic shipping zones when they are not under speed restriction. Mariners are encouraged to take into consideration the potential for their vessel striking North Atlantic right whales when considering a safe operational speed during navigation.

The speed restriction in the dynamic shipping zone(s) will be in effect for 15 days from the date of detection. In the event of a new North Atlantic right whale detection occurring in the last 7 days of the 15-day slowdown period, the speed restriction will be extended for an additional 15 days from the date of the new detection. This would continue until no NARW are detected. When a speed restriction is extended due to a new North Atlantic right whale detection, it should be noted that, contrary to previous years’ operations, no new NAVWARN will be issued. The initial NAVWARN will remain in place until a NAVWARN lifting the speed restriction is published.

Coordinates for the dynamic shipping zones:

Zone A

• 49⁰ 41’ N, 065⁰ 00’ W
• 49⁰ 20’ N, 065⁰ 00’ W
• 49⁰ 11’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
• 49⁰ 22’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W

Zone B

• 49⁰ 22’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
• 49⁰ 11’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 48’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
• 49⁰ 00’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W

Zone C

• 49⁰ 00’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 48’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 24’ N, 062⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 35’ N, 062⁰ 00’ W

Zone D

• 50⁰ 16’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
• 50⁰ 00’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W
• 49⁰ 56’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W
• 50⁰ 16’ N, 063⁰ 00’ W; and
• from there along the coastline back to 50⁰ 16’ N, 064⁰ 00’ W

Zone E

• 48⁰ 35’ N 062⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 24’ N 062⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 03’ N 061⁰ 07.5’ W
• 47⁰ 58.1’ N 061⁰ 03.5’ W
• 48⁰ 00’ N 061⁰ 00’ W
• 48⁰ 10.5’ N 061⁰ 00’ W

Seasonal management areas

Seasonal management area 1 (SMA-1) and seasonal management area 2 (SMA-2) are speed restriction areas located north and south of dynamic shipping zone E, respectively.

Within seasonal management areas,vessels above 13.0 m in length (LOA):

• Must restrict their speed so as not to exceed 10.0 knots over the ground from April 22 to June 30, 2026; and
• Are allowed to proceed at a safe operational speed from July 1 to November 15, 2026, unless a North Atlantic right whale is detected. If a whale is detected, a speed restriction of 10.0 knots over the ground will be triggered for 15 days from the date of detection. In the event of a new North Atlantic right whale detection occurring in the last 7 days of the 15-day slowdown period, the speed restriction will be extended for an additional 15 days from the date of the new detection. This would continue until no North Atlantic right whales are detected.

Coordinates for the SMA-1:

• 49° 04’ N 062° 00’ W
• 49° 04’ N 061° 00’ W
• 48° 10.5’ N 061° 00’ W
• 48° 35’ N 062° 00’ W

Coordinates for the SMA-2:

• 48° 24’ N 062° 00’ W
• 48° 03’ N 061° 07.5’ W
• 47° 58.1’ N 061° 03.5’ W
• 47° 26.69’ N 062° 00’ W

Restricted area

In the summer months, an important proportion of the total North Atlantic right whale population gathers for feeding and surface activity near the Shediac Valley. Since this makes the North Atlantic right whale more susceptible to vessel collisions, a mandatory restricted area will be implemented in and near the Shediac Valley and will come into force once 80% of the restricted area is closed to fishing for the season as per the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) right whale closure protocol, or at the latest on June 15, 2026. The restricted area will be lifted on September 25, 2026, unless North Atlantic right whale detections are reported in high number, which would extend the restricted area beyond September 25.

The size and location of the area are determined based on historical detection data of North Atlantic right whales. All necessary details can be found in the Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena Glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2026. Triggering and lifting of the restricted area will be communicated to mariners through NAVWARNs and notices to fish harvesters.

Vessels above 13.0 m in length (LOA) will be required to:

• Avoid the area unless they are part of the exceptions listed in the Interim Order for the Protection of North Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena Glacialis) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2026;
• Transit the area at a speed not exceeding 8.0 knots over the ground if they are part of the exceptions.

The following exceptions will apply to the restricted area. The following listed vessels can travel through the area at not more than 8.0 knots over the ground:

• A vessel being used for commercial fishing;
• A vessel being used for fishing under the authority of a licence issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations;
• A vessel being used for research purposes on behalf of the Government of Canada
• A vessel involved in research relating to right whales as part of a project that has received funding from the Government of Canada;
• A vessel being used as part of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Marine Mammal Response Program to assist a marine mammal or sea turtle in distress or to access or retrieve a deceased marine mammal or sea turtle;
• A vessel authorized by the Government of Canada to retrieve or identify the location of abandoned or lost fishing gear;
• A vessel involved in pollution response operations;
• A vessel avoiding immediate or unforeseen danger; or
• A vessel being used to conduct the maintenance or repair of underwater communication cables.

The following vessels can travel through the restricted area at a speed over 8.0 knots, but below 10.0 knots over the ground as required by the static speed restriction zone:

• A vessel being used by an employee of the Government of Canada or peace officer who is performing their duties.

Coordinates for the restricted area:

• 48° 31.8’ N 063° 39.6’ W
• 48° 24.72’ N 063° 17.88’ W
• 47° 18.84’ N 064° 10.8’ W
• 47° 27.18’ N 064° 30.72’ W

Report of death or injury

In the event that at least one North Atlantic right whale is reported dead or injured in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in a zone or area where there is no NAVWARN in effect, a speed restriction of 10.0 knots over the ground for vessels above 13.0 m in length overall (LOA) will be implemented in the concerned zone(s) or area(s) for 15 days from the time the NAVWARN comes into effect.

Inclement weather exception

Mariners will be notified in advance via a NAVWARN should the speed restriction status change in any zone or area, due to inclement weather.

Within any zone or area that is no longer subject to a speed restriction due to adverse weather conditions, mariners may proceed at a safe operational speed, but are encouraged to take into consideration the potential for their vessel striking North Atlantic right whales when determining that speed during navigation.

*Non-excepted vessels are still prohibited from transiting through the restricted area.

Voluntary seasonal slowdown in Cabot Strait

To coincide with the North Atlantic right whales entering and exiting the Gulf of St. Lawrence in large numbers, a voluntary seasonal slowdown is being put in place in Cabot Strait from April 22 to June 30, 2026, and from September 2 to November 15, 2026.

• During these periods, vessels above 13 m in length (LOA) are requested to voluntarily reduce their speed so as to not exceed 10.0 knots over the ground.

Voluntary seasonal slowdown zone coordinates:

• 48° 10.5’ N 061° 00’ W
• 47° 37.2’ N 059° 18.5’ W
• 47° 02’ N 060° 23.7’ W
• 47° 58.1’ N 061° 03.5’ W
• 48° 00’ N 061° 00’ W

Map of the Gulf of St. Lawrence

The map below provides a visual representation of the main zones mentioned. It must not be used for navigation or law enforcement purposes.

• Static zones (north and south), in pink;
• Dynamic shipping zones (A, B, C, D and E), in green;
• Seasonal management areas, in dark pink;
• Voluntary seasonal slowdown zone, in grey;
• Restricted area, in dark blue; and
• 36.57 m (20 fathoms) DFO shallow water protocol line.