High Time
Crew Member
So we are into a month of the No-Go closure at Pender Bluffs. Starting to wonder if DFO has removed the closure? Today we saw approximately 150 vessels transit through the No-Go Zone. Mostly rec boats heading North up the bluffs,mostly U.S. boats after exiting Bedwell Harbour. They either have no idea regarding the closure of this area or are choosing to ignore it. Same pattern that we have observed for the last 5 years. Been here for 4 days and have not seen an enforcement boat. On Friday we observed a small pod of orcas being escorted by a couple whale watching boats at a distance of about 100 meters. I guess they must have been Transients?. First sighting in about 6 weeks. Last Spring during the "consultation period" when we all dutifully responded to DFO's request for input, which we all know was totally ignored, I suggested that there was a large amount of transient traffic through this area that they should be aware of. It would appears that this was also ignored and now they have decided not to enforce the closure? Of course, what's the point, as there are no SKRW anywhere near this area according to the website that monitors the orcas movements. When the orcas occasionally transit through this area the "Bubble Zone" approach would have been more than adequate to assist them. It's hard to watch this farce that has been imposed on this area. Rant over...
