February 2021 Progress Report

Vessel traffic monitoring information for the Voluntary Protection Zone (VPZ) for Shipping on the West Coast of Haida Gwaii is provided through the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness system and the Pacific Safety Initiative (US). The trial VPZ asks vessels to observe a minimum distance of 50 nm from the west coast of Haida Gwaii. For the purpose of data collection, vessel traffic is monitored to 200 nm from the west coast of Haida Gwaii.

During the month of February, a total of 108 commercial vessel transits were observed on the west coast. Of these, 92 transits, representing 85%, took place outside the VPZ.

The Canadian Hydrographic Service updated the electronic and paper navigation charts for the area with information on the VPZ, and issued the corresponding chart corrections in the western edition of the monthly Notices to Mariners (#02/2021) published on February 29.