Fishery Officers Meet With Boaters

From July 25 to August 4, more than 800 recreational boaters from the North Shore, the Magdalen Islands and the Gaspé Peninsula were made aware of the best practices that should be adopted to protect marine mammals.

DFO fishery officers, joined by Parks Canada wardens, carried out land and sea patrols to raise awareness among sailing, kayaking and recreational boating enthusiasts. Although these patrols have been conducted on a regular basis over the past four years in order to protect beluga whales in the St. Lawrence Estuary, it was the first time the officers visited the other maritime regions of Quebec.

In addition to covering a much larger area, this year’s patrols were aimed at raising boaters’ awareness of disturbance to marine mammals, with a particular focus on mammals protected under the Species at Risk Act. This new approach can be explained by the amendment, in summer 2018, of the Marine Mammal Regulations, which set out approach distances to be respected by the boating public.

At sea, the patrollers approached water sports enthusiasts to discuss the new measures in place to protect marine mammals and provide them with an information pamphlet. Now all these individuals, who have been educated about marine mammal protection, will be able to share this knowledge with those around them!

To maximize the impact of the patrols, fishery officers also carried out awareness activities and distributed brochures in tourism offices and at marinas. Thanks to this initiative, all boaters—not just those from the region—will be able to help protect marine mammals.

To learn more about the best practices that should be adopted in the presence of marine mammals: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/mammals-mammiferes/watching-observation/index-eng.html

To report a marine mammal in distress: www.qc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/signaler-report/urgence-mam-emergencie-eng.html

Naomie Girard
Communications