ALERT: The right whales will be making their way back to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the coming weeks, it's important to take care.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans announces 2023 Fishery Management Measures.

Transport Canada's Measures for 2023 have been announced!

Below you will find information on the 2023 Cabot Strait Voluntary Slowdown. Be sure to check WhaleMap for the most recent visual and acoustic observations of right whales, and to download the WhaleALERT app for assistance in navigating in whale-inhabited waters.

Cabot Strait Voluntary Slowdown

Cabot Strait is a key migratory pathway for the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale.

To help prevent a lethal collision with these whales, vessels transiting through Cabot Strait are requested to voluntarily slow down to 10 knots or less over the ground, when safe to do so.

Please find more information about the Voluntary Slowdown from the following English, French and multilingual flyers.

English Francais multilingual

Need more background information?

Check out these documents for additional information on right whale critical habitat and distinguishing features!

English Francais

See also A Mariners Guide to Whales in the Northwest Atlantic, produced by the Marine Mammal Observation Network.

Mariner Alerts

Cabot Strait Voluntary Slowdown