North Atlantic right whales can now feed and socialise without fear of colliding with large ships. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated the Roseway Basin, some 20 nautical miles south of Cape Sable Island, Nova Scotia, as an "Area to be Avoided" (ATBA) by commercial shipping, on a seasonal basis. The Roseway Basin is one of only two known areas where large numbers of North Atlantic right whales gather in Canadian waters, the other is the lower Bay of Fundy. However each of these important habitats is intersected by or located near major shipping routes.

On the endangered list since 1935, the North Atlantic right whale is on the verge of extinction, with scientific estimates putting its current total population at less than 400 so hopefully the adoption of this proposal will have a significant positive impact on the right whales' road to recovery. The recommended seasonal ATBA designation is the most recent of several measures Canada has taken to protect North Atlantic right whales. In recognition of its importance to the very survival of the right whale population, a portion of Roseway Basin was designated by Canada in 1993 as a right whale conservation area. In 2002, the IMO unanimously adopted the Canadian proposal to amend the Bay of Fundy Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) reducing the relative probability of a ship strike in this area by approximately 80%.

The designation is for ships of more than 300 tonnes who will now steer clear of Roseway Basin from June 1 to December 31 each year when the whales frequent the waters. A notice to Mariners will be issued in the near future to advise them of the new ATBA. The IMO adopted Canada's ATBA initiative at a meeting in Copenhagen in early October.