(Photo: Government of Canada)
Transport Canada has fined six vessels for not complying with a temporary yet mandatory slowdown in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Two coast guard vessels were among those fined – CCGS Cape Edensaw has been fined $6,000 and CCGS Cap d’Espoir faces a penalty of $12,000.
Four other vessels were also fined including a container ship, MSC Diego, which received a $12,000 fine and the vessels Oslo Bulk, Isola Celeste and Princess Ashita were each issued a $6,000 penalty.
Transport Canada says the owners have 30 days to pay or can ask the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada to review the facts of their violations.
“Vessels must transit in a way that does not harm the endangered North Atlantic right whale population. When they exceed the set speed limits, we won’t hesitate to issue fines. The Government of Canada remains committed to working with the marine shipping industry, science experts, and our American partners to monitor and protect the North Atlantic right whale,” said Transport minister Marc Garneau.
A slowdown for the shipping lanes was put in place in June following the recent deaths of North Atlantic right whales.
