Whales
Canadian shipping lane change idea would do right by whales
By ALISON AULD The Canadian PressAn area off the East Coast that teems with endangered North Atlantic right whales will be given special protections against container traffic if a unique Canadian initiative is adopted by an international marine agency.Transport Canada, Environment Canada and scientists who study the rare animals have submitted a proposal to the International Maritime Organization recommending that container ships divert around the Roseway Basin southwest of Nova Scotia.
If accepted, ships would have to steer clear of an area that measures 1,780 square nautical kilometres and literally bubbles with whale fins and spray as the massive mammals frolic on the surface.
It'll be interesting to see how the United States will respond to this initiative. The U.S. has long opposed any regulation of international waters, including the United Nations Conventions on the Law of the Sea. This the heart of the U.S. objection to Canadian claims of sovereignty to the Northwest Passage.
Without US cooperation, the intitiative is essentially worthless.
