Ottawa launching new marine regulations

VESSELS WILL BE REQUIRED TO KEEP DISTANCE FROM MARINE MAMMALS

Ottawa will unveil new regulations today that will require boats to keep a healthy distance from marine mammals, just as two inquisitive beluga whales have been drawing onlookers into waters off a Cape Breton beach in encounters experts say could jeopardize the highly social animals.

Corey Webster, a federal Fisheries conservation and protection official, said the new Marine Mammal rules require vessels to stay 100 metres from marine mammals in Canadian waters. The new provision gives regulatory weight to existing guidelines that previously recommended a 100-metre buffer zone.

“The amendments aren’t intended to control whether or not whales approach vessels closely,” he said in an interview in Halifax. “It’s just that we don’t want vessels going out and harassing the whales in terms of chasing them down or separating a mother and calf.”

He wouldn’t reveal possible penalties for infractions, saying only that they would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The announcement comes — coincidentally, Webster said — as people continued to flock to an area off Ingonish Beach to see two playful belugas that have been cruising the waters near the shoreline for about a week. The pair — which appear to be a juvenile and young adult —have been captivating locals and tourists for days, with some onlookers getting into the water to swim with them.

Videos and photos on social media sites show boats and kayaks surrounding the splotchy white whales as they bob to the surface, coming within reach of the various vessels. One video shows a dog swimming near the animals as one breaks the surface, while someone in a wetsuit swims nearby.

Bernie Lamey, 42, was out on the water again Wednesday as the two belugas swam about 50 yards from his kayak. He had previously captured video of the pair swimming near two kayaks, a ribbed vessel full of onlookers and a fishing boat with several people on board.

His underwater footage shows the creatures peering at his boat, coming right up to his camera and rolling over as the dull roar of boats is heard in the background.

“They’re quite curious and they stare right at you — it’s like they’re looking right into your soul,” he said as the wind whistled in the background. “They’re very interactive. I think they want to know more about us than we want to know about them.”

Lamey says that while it’s been a great experience for the community, it may be time “to leave nature alone.”

Marine mammal experts agree, saying the close encounters could be harmful to the gregarious whales — and to the people getting a closer look.

Catherine Kinsman of the Whale Stewardship Project said the whales could become too familiar with people and boats, increasing their risk of injury.