Presence of a right whale: a first temporary zone closure in 2022

The detection of the first North Atlantic right whale in Gulf waters will trigger a temporary closure in Fishing Area 12 as of May 8.

The single specimen was sighted Wednesday morning north of the Islands, triggering a 15-day fishing ban in a 2,000 km2 area around the whale’s location.

La première détection d’une baleine noire dans le golfe cette année survient un peu plus tard qu’en 2021 (carte: MPO)

If the mammal is sighted again between days 9 and 15, the quadrangles will be closed for the rest of the season.

Fishermen have a 96-hour window to move their gear instead of the usual 72 hours since a high wind warning is in effect, according to the Fisheries and Oceans Canada advisory.

This first temporary closure in 2022 comes just one month after the start of the crab fishery in Areas 12 and 12F, which are frequented by Magdalen Islands crabbers.

In 2021, quadrangles were closed in 12F as early as April 29.

It should be noted that the closed area is outside the 20-fathom line and therefore lobster fishers are not currently affected by the protocol.