2026 Fisheries Management " Proposals " for SOG & SVI

[G Gordon]

BC Recreational Fishing Association | Port Renfrew BC

BC Recreational Fishing Association, Port Renfrew. 353 likes · 1,496 talking about this. Protecting our waters, protecting our way of life

www.facebook.com

 

[searun]

I think its interesting to post thoughts on this forum, however without actions those are hollow. There are fairly easy and positive actions each of us as concerned recreational anglers can take that will make a difference.

First, take a moment to reach out to your local MP and seek a brief 15 minute meeting with them and let them know how the existing SRKW management measures and the new proposed measures are impacting you - ask for their help taking your concerns to Ottawa. That is why they were elected as your representatives - get their help representing you.

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

www.ourcommons.ca

Second, take a few minutes to write to DFO in this current and very brief consultation period - let them know your concerns regarding the existing SRKW measures, the proposed measures. Even better, ask them to remove the existing measures and replace those with Adaptive Management Measures such as a 400m Avoidance Zone that has clear enforceable penalties to backstop and shift on-water behaviours of vessel operators of ALL type (recreational and Whale Watching).

As many of us know, whale foraging and use of the environment is highly variable an unpredictable - thus fixed spatial measures such as fishing closures afford little protection when whales are not in those areas and further impact unnecessarily social and economic benefits the recreational fishery provide to Canada. Mobile strategies that apply everywhere whales travel and at all times are far more impactful protection, while achieving a critical balance between protection and socio-economic benefits to Canada.

I would go even further, and let DFO know that many Chinook stocks in the key forage areas SRKW utilize while here in BC waters are showing dramatic if not historic recovery - East Vancouver Island +236%; West Vancouver Island +32%; Fraser +45% - Source PSF Spawner Abundance published in State of Salmon Report. Moreover, a recent study from UBC provides growing insights to the effect of significant South Coast Chinook abundance proving the urban myth that prey availability is a contributor to SRKW recovery .

Saygili & Trites 2024 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311388

Research suggests the prey abundance limitations on SRKW recovery more likely than not take place in US waters

“Our findings do not negate the hypothesis that southern residents are thinner on average than northern resident killer whales because they are not consuming enough prey [70]. Rather, they suggest that southern resident killer whales are no less food-limited than northern resident killer whales during summer, and any food shortage that might be occurring is happening elsewhere or at other times of the year.”

“Thus, our assessments of Chinook densities in the Salish Sea in 2020, along with those from 2018–2019 [5], suggest that southern resident killer whales are not food-limited in the Salish Sea—and that their low numbers and apparent low carrying capacity reflects lower prey abundances further south in Oregon or California.”

While the deadline for input to DFO is October 31, they will not be providing recommendations to the Fisheries Minister until Mid November and even then, do not expect the Minister will be making a decision until at least February - so there is still time to act now. Start with an email to DFO at:

DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

 

[G Gordon]

https://fb.watch/CXPC0BEUux

https://fb.watch/CXPM1UvTGT

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=122217884972123840&id=61553715214823

( live streams in above link )

Post from BCRFA Town Hall event

Recreational Fishers: Real Consequences. Real Voices. Your Chance to Be Heard.

For years, BC’s coastal communities have been hit hard by DFO’s blanket salmon closures, reduced Chinook opportunities, and unclear SRKW (Southern Resident Killer Whale) measures.
Now, more proposed restrictions threaten to shut down up to 90% of key fishing zones, directly affecting families, guides, lodges, and small-town economies from Port Renfrew to Tofino.

This town hall is our opportunity to stand together, share the facts, and make sure our voices reach Ottawa.

Special Guest Speakers
-MP Jeff Kibble – Cowichan–Malahat–Langford
-MP Blaine Calkins – Shadow Minister for Hunting & Conservation
-Thomas Sewid – Pacific Balance Marine Management
-Gary Cooper – Conservation TV Personality & Angler
-Jim Shockey – Canadian Author, Producer, and Outdoor TV Host

Why You Should Attend
-Learn what DFO’s 2026 SRKW prey-management measures mean for Vancouver Island’s fishing access
-Hear from elected officials, marine managers, and community leaders
-Discuss science-based alternatives, including mark-selective fisheries, pinniped management, and hatchery support
-Help protect local jobs, food access, and coastal culture

Recreational fishers and coastal residents, this is your moment.
Come be heard. Come stand united.

 

[ship happens]

I think its interesting to post thoughts on this forum, however without actions those are hollow. There are fairly easy and positive actions each of us as concerned recreational anglers can take that will make a difference.

First, take a moment to reach out to your local MP and seek a brief 15 minute meeting with them and let them know how the existing SRKW management measures and the new proposed measures are impacting you - ask for their help taking your concerns to Ottawa. That is why they were elected as your representatives - get their help representing you.

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

www.ourcommons.ca

Second, take a few minutes to write to DFO in this current and very brief consultation period - let them know your concerns regarding the existing SRKW measures, the proposed measures. Even better, ask them to remove the existing measures and replace those with Adaptive Management Measures such as a 400m Avoidance Zone that has clear enforceable penalties to backstop and shift on-water behaviours of vessel operators of ALL type (recreational and Whale Watching).

As many of us know, whale foraging and use of the environment is highly variable an unpredictable - thus fixed spatial measures such as fishing closures afford little protection when whales are not in those areas and further impact unnecessarily social and economic benefits the recreational fishery provide to Canada. Mobile strategies that apply everywhere whales travel and at all times are far more impactful protection, while achieving a critical balance between protection and socio-economic benefits to Canada.

I would go even further, and let DFO know that many Chinook stocks in the key forage areas SRKW utilize while here in BC waters are showing dramatic if not historic recovery - East Vancouver Island +236%; West Vancouver Island +32%; Fraser +45% - Source PSF Spawner Abundance published in State of Salmon Report. Moreover, a recent study from UBC provides growing insights to the effect of significant South Coast Chinook abundance proving the urban myth that prey availability is a contributor to SRKW recovery .

Saygili & Trites 2024 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311388

Research suggests the prey abundance limitations on SRKW recovery more likely than not take place in US waters

“Our findings do not negate the hypothesis that southern residents are thinner on average than northern resident killer whales because they are not consuming enough prey [70]. Rather, they suggest that southern resident killer whales are no less food-limited than northern resident killer whales during summer, and any food shortage that might be occurring is happening elsewhere or at other times of the year.”

“Thus, our assessments of Chinook densities in the Salish Sea in 2020, along with those from 2018–2019 [5], suggest that southern resident killer whales are not food-limited in the Salish Sea—and that their low numbers and apparent low carrying capacity reflects lower prey abundances further south in Oregon or California.”

While the deadline for input to DFO is October 31, they will not be providing recommendations to the Fisheries Minister until Mid November and even then, do not expect the Minister will be making a decision until at least February - so there is still time to act now. Start with an email to DFO at:

DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

View attachment 122100

I hear ya and I agree with you. However maybe you should try talking to the mainlander MPs . It's not nice. They are part of the problem!

 

[searun]

I hear ya and I agree with you. However maybe you should try talking to the mainlander MPs . It's not nice. They are part of the problem!

I strongly believe part of the solutions here are every one of us taking the time and personal accountability to take action to support the future of our fishery rather than wait around for someone else to step in. A number of us from the SFI and BCWF just returned from a week in Ottawa meeting with a number of MP's, Minister etc. doing exactly what you suggest. Deep and productive conversations with decision makers to help them understand our fisheries concerns. MP's who have already had visits or meeting requests have noticed, and are taking your concerns forward as your elected representatives - as they should in the political process. Engage them to work for you, they are good people who need help getting better informed regarding our key fishery issues.

 

[chille51]

I think its interesting to post thoughts on this forum, however without actions those are hollow. There are fairly easy and positive actions each of us as concerned recreational anglers can take that will make a difference.

First, take a moment to reach out to your local MP and seek a brief 15 minute meeting with them and let them know how the existing SRKW management measures and the new proposed measures are impacting you - ask for their help taking your concerns to Ottawa. That is why they were elected as your representatives - get their help representing you.

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

www.ourcommons.ca

Second, take a few minutes to write to DFO in this current and very brief consultation period - let them know your concerns regarding the existing SRKW measures, the proposed measures. Even better, ask them to remove the existing measures and replace those with Adaptive Management Measures such as a 400m Avoidance Zone that has clear enforceable penalties to backstop and shift on-water behaviours of vessel operators of ALL type (recreational and Whale Watching).

As many of us know, whale foraging and use of the environment is highly variable an unpredictable - thus fixed spatial measures such as fishing closures afford little protection when whales are not in those areas and further impact unnecessarily social and economic benefits the recreational fishery provide to Canada. Mobile strategies that apply everywhere whales travel and at all times are far more impactful protection, while achieving a critical balance between protection and socio-economic benefits to Canada.

I would go even further, and let DFO know that many Chinook stocks in the key forage areas SRKW utilize while here in BC waters are showing dramatic if not historic recovery - East Vancouver Island +236%; West Vancouver Island +32%; Fraser +45% - Source PSF Spawner Abundance published in State of Salmon Report. Moreover, a recent study from UBC provides growing insights to the effect of significant South Coast Chinook abundance proving the urban myth that prey availability is a contributor to SRKW recovery .

Saygili & Trites 2024 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311388

Research suggests the prey abundance limitations on SRKW recovery more likely than not take place in US waters

“Our findings do not negate the hypothesis that southern residents are thinner on average than northern resident killer whales because they are not consuming enough prey [70]. Rather, they suggest that southern resident killer whales are no less food-limited than northern resident killer whales during summer, and any food shortage that might be occurring is happening elsewhere or at other times of the year.”

“Thus, our assessments of Chinook densities in the Salish Sea in 2020, along with those from 2018–2019 [5], suggest that southern resident killer whales are not food-limited in the Salish Sea—and that their low numbers and apparent low carrying capacity reflects lower prey abundances further south in Oregon or California.”

While the deadline for input to DFO is October 31, they will not be providing recommendations to the Fisheries Minister until Mid November and even then, do not expect the Minister will be making a decision until at least February - so there is still time to act now. Start with an email to DFO at:

DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

View attachment 122100

I would like to write to DFO as you've suggested, but I am admittedly not overly informed on the issue or what the science says myself. Really about SRKW conservation measures specifically, or general chinook conservation strategies. I'm not completely ignorant - I know the main talking points and I read all of these threads, but it would be nice to do a bit of deeper reading myself so I can arrive at those conclusions directly. A little overwhelming to know where to start though, and what bias may be at play in any particular source, or by extension what sources DFO would consider credible. If I take the time to write an email or meet with an MP, I'd like to have an idea what I'm talking about, and have a stronger argument than "I read on the internet...". Other than a few of the sources you already mentioned, what would you suggest are the best sources of non-biased, science based real data on this issue?

 

[agentaqua]

raincoast is at it again:

A window for survival: Act now to protect Chinook and save Southern Residents | Raincoast

A ‘’whale safe” window can help this endangered population.

www.raincoast.org

I would recommend using but hijacking their template to tell the MPs/DFO enuff is enuff instead...

 

[Skins88]

Hey Guys. Sorry if this has been discussed. But are the proposed closures going to be "no fishing" or just closed to Chinook? Would we still be able to fish coho and hali offshore as an example.

 

[SpringVelocity]

raincoast is at it again:

A window for survival: Act now to protect Chinook and save Southern Residents | Raincoast

A ‘’whale safe” window can help this endangered population.

www.raincoast.org

I would recommend using but hijacking their template to tell the MPs/DFO enuff is enuff instead..

Remember Raincoast position is that all marine fisheries should be closed, and transition to river fishing.

Opinion: Turning the tide for southern resident killer whales

Their decline since being listed as endangered two decades ago is unfolding in plain sight, despite mounting science on how to reverse it.

vancouversun.com

Quote:


We recommend maintaining fishery closures that prioritize the whales’ access to their important salmon. One way to do this is to shift fishing effort to locations near or in rivers. This would give southern residents a better chance to feed before those salmon are targeted by fishermen.

Misty MacDuffee, Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Biologist and Wild Salmon Program Director ​

 

[searun]

Aside from booking an appointment with your MP, everyone should take a few minutes to write to DFO to provide your input. The email address is:

DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

You have until October 31 to send in your input - so time to act is now. IMO people should be asking DFO to remove the existing fixed or static fishery closures and sanctuaries. Instead, recommend implementation of an Adaptive Management Measure - 400m Avoidance Zone. To ensure optimal effectiveness in protection for whales, adoption by vessel operators, encourage improved on-water due diligence in spotting whales and avoiding them. There should be a set of escalating fines to backstop the 400m avoidance zone. First offence would be a written warning which indicates next offence results in a very significant fine. Also to backstop this measure, there should be a requirement for people fishing to upon observing whales within the 400m avoidance zone, to immediately cease fishing and slowly move 1000m away from the location where whales have been observed.

This approach would provide better protection for whales everywhere and at all times they are in B.C. waters, while achieving a critical balance between protection and socio-economic optimization.

 

[Derby]

Good post SeaRun.... as we all reflex upon the current events please take a few momnent and send a note off to the Marine mammal division and let them.know about your displeasure which is a understatement and make appointment with your local MP.

 

[ship happens]

I'm doing my part along with lots of others. Lots of good information here and across the boards. I will be attending the meeting this coming week as well. Thanks to all the people involved and all the countless hours of dedication across the industry.

My gut still tells me that the only way to solve this huge issue is with a court case. Would be really expensive. Basically need to grow the associations with adding scientists, marketing and web development teams, and lawyers. Basically the same as raincoast and these other groups. They have unlimited budgets and we have no money. However there is enough evidence for a court case for sure. This has gone way too far and the truth needs to come out. Or canada will be in big trouble. Bigger trouble then we're already in. It's nerve racking. The fact that we spend millions of tax dollars to fight against our own culture and economics is just sickening. Canada needs to wake up, and we need to take back our fishery.

 

[Squire]

I think its interesting to post thoughts on this forum, however without actions those are hollow. There are fairly easy and positive actions each of us as concerned recreational anglers can take that will make a difference.

First, take a moment to reach out to your local MP and seek a brief 15 minute meeting with them and let them know how the existing SRKW management measures and the new proposed measures are impacting you - ask for their help taking your concerns to Ottawa. That is why they were elected as your representatives - get their help representing you.

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada

www.ourcommons.ca

Second, take a few minutes to write to DFO in this current and very brief consultation period - let them know your concerns regarding the existing SRKW measures, the proposed measures. Even better, ask them to remove the existing measures and replace those with Adaptive Management Measures such as a 400m Avoidance Zone that has clear enforceable penalties to backstop and shift on-water behaviours of vessel operators of ALL type (recreational and Whale Watching).

As many of us know, whale foraging and use of the environment is highly variable an unpredictable - thus fixed spatial measures such as fishing closures afford little protection when whales are not in those areas and further impact unnecessarily social and economic benefits the recreational fishery provide to Canada. Mobile strategies that apply everywhere whales travel and at all times are far more impactful protection, while achieving a critical balance between protection and socio-economic benefits to Canada.

I would go even further, and let DFO know that many Chinook stocks in the key forage areas SRKW utilize while here in BC waters are showing dramatic if not historic recovery - East Vancouver Island +236%; West Vancouver Island +32%; Fraser +45% - Source PSF Spawner Abundance published in State of Salmon Report. Moreover, a recent study from UBC provides growing insights to the effect of significant South Coast Chinook abundance proving the urban myth that prey availability is a contributor to SRKW recovery .

Saygili & Trites 2024 https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311388

Research suggests the prey abundance limitations on SRKW recovery more likely than not take place in US waters

“Our findings do not negate the hypothesis that southern residents are thinner on average than northern resident killer whales because they are not consuming enough prey [70]. Rather, they suggest that southern resident killer whales are no less food-limited than northern resident killer whales during summer, and any food shortage that might be occurring is happening elsewhere or at other times of the year.”

“Thus, our assessments of Chinook densities in the Salish Sea in 2020, along with those from 2018–2019 [5], suggest that southern resident killer whales are not food-limited in the Salish Sea—and that their low numbers and apparent low carrying capacity reflects lower prey abundances further south in Oregon or California.”

While the deadline for input to DFO is October 31, they will not be providing recommendations to the Fisheries Minister until Mid November and even then, do not expect the Minister will be making a decision until at least February - so there is still time to act now. Start with an email to DFO at:

DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

View attachment 122100

First off, well presented and defended post. I will be responding to the DFO survey this afternoon and I will be reaching out to my MP as well.

My one, somewhat cynical, position is that my Conservative MP taking my message to Ottawa is potentially far less effective than Liberal MPs asking tough questions on behalf of their affected constituents. As such I hope that those members and other fishermen whose MPs are Liberals try to get their message to them. I am specifically referring to those who are represented in Ottawa by Parm Bains, Liberal, Richmond East - Steveston, Stephanie McLean, Liberal, Esquimalt - Saanich - Sooke, and Will Greaves, Liberal, Victoria. I believe letting them know how important it is to you that your representative support science-based measures for potential SRKW recovery is critical. If we cant get any of them to even ask the pertinent questions then we aren't likely to succeed against this partisan political agenda.

I deliberately left out Johnathon Wilkinson, Liberal, North Vancouver - Capilano due to his inability to distinguish fact from fiction evident from his performance as a prior fisheries minister.

 

[Squire]

Aside from booking an appointment with your MP, everyone should take a few minutes to write to DFO to provide your input. The email address is:

DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

You have until October 31 to send in your input - so time to act is now. IMO people should be asking DFO to remove the existing fixed or static fishery closures and sanctuaries. Instead, recommend implementation of an Adaptive Management Measure - 400m Avoidance Zone. To ensure optimal effectiveness in protection for whales, adoption by vessel operators, encourage improved on-water due diligence in spotting whales and avoiding them. There should be a set of escalating fines to backstop the 400m avoidance zone. First offence would be a written warning which indicates next offence results in a very significant fine. Also to backstop this measure, there should be a requirement for people fishing to upon observing whales within the 400m avoidance zone, to immediately cease fishing and slowly move 1000m away from the location where whales have been observed.

This approach would provide better protection for whales everywhere and at all times they are in B.C. waters, while achieving a critical balance between protection and socio-economic optimization.

I sent my comments in this afternoon including a little bit of plagiarism of SeaRun’s talking points.

It is somewhat sickening the way the NGOs and FNs have captured the process at the expense of everyone else but it is all part of the Liberal way to always choose political expediency over good management based on science, logic, principles and common sense.

I still hope some common sense creeps into the process and the Liberals look to the long term impacts on their popularity when the damage they cause doesn’t result in more SRKW numbers. Unfortunately time is on their side before this ever becomes evident.

 

[ship happens]

One note I want to add to this conversation for future managment purposes, is that all the science needs to be peer reviewed to really have any traction in court. If it's not "peer reviewed" it can easily be thrown out.

It's time for DFO to admit that they issued the permits and they are the real reason those specific whale pods population numbers are still trying to play catch up. With the peer reviewed science around inbreeding it's pretty obvious. They are leading with false information. Which we should be going after that in Ottawa imo.

I would rather them tell us the truth then to be lied to. Enough is enough. After all its only tax payers money and livelihoods of BC

Inbreeding Contributes to Decline of Endangered Killer Whales

New genome sequencing shows Southern Residents are highly inbred. Southern Resident Connections - Post 30

www.fisheries.noaa.gov

 

[Peahead]

Here is a quote I pulled right out of the above Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences article above that wildmanyeah posted. Written by 3 Scientists, one of which most of us know, Andrew Trites , Marine Mammal Research Unit/UBC. Mei Sato from same dept at UBC and the 3rd is a Fisheries and Oceans Biologist in Sidney BC/ University of Victoria.

"Contrary to expectations, we found that both killer whale habitats had patchy distributions of prey that did not differ in their frequencies of occurrence, nor in the size compositions of individual fish. However, the density of fish within each patch was 4–6 times higher in the southern resident killer whale habitat. These findings do not support the hypothesis that southern resident killer whales are experiencing a prey shortage in the Salish Sea during summer and suggest a combination of other factors is affecting overall foraging success"

This is a 2021 finding however the information seems to be no different now. The conclusion that "A combination of factors is affecting overall foraging success" is obviously broad and vague conclusion so I think the short answer is they don't know for sure - but its not lack of food source. Interesting to me is that the SRKW spend most of the year down south in the USA waters. They are only in our waters about 3-4 months. Andrew Trites has pointed out in interviews and a talk I attended at UBC that the SRKW arrive back into BC in the spring/summer looking thinner and emaciated so the health issues may not even be caused by something in our BC waters.

As others have pointed out this is the argument to DFO and our politicians - How can DFO ignore science and get away with it ? There simply should be no SRKW area fishing closures at all. Especially fishing closures that do nothing for SRKW and yet severely damage the fishing businesses and the economy that fishing brings to the province. SRKW fishing closure areas are implemented by DFO simply to appease ENGO's complaining about fishing in BC. Recreational/public fishing is an easy target because we don't have a large organized voice nor have the funding backing like ENGO's do.

The general public lacks the needed education on the facts regarding the SRKW issue to understand the SRKW situation. Those that are funding ENGO's will mostly have no idea of the scientific research that proves SRKW are not having health issues because recreational fishing is causing the SRKW lack of food. ENGO's ignore the science because the truth is boring and doesn't garner funding. For goodness sakes DFO/Gov also ignores science when it doesn't fit their agenda.

And if ENGO's and DFO/GOV think recreational fishing from our small boats create noise and other actions that interfere with SRKW foraging .... but its ok for freighters, ferries, commercial vessels and other non fishing recreational boats like whale watchers to continue with their activities in the SRKW area fishing closure areas then I have lost complete faith in the whole process of helping the SRKW.

FYI Some additional information from Public Fishery Alliance FB site linked below. Just posted today. Most of us on this thread already know the details on the SRKW proposed fishing closures but just wanted to post this here too.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BYLurJcWr/?mibextid=wwXIfr


The PFA will be providing details on the up coming PFA Town Hall Meeting on November 13th in Langford asap. I'll post those details here and in the Meetings and Derbies forum. The feedback deadline stated by DFO as Oct 31st is correct for feedback from public during a "consultation period" that began Sept 17th but after October 31st and through to early 2025 will be the time for lobbying which is a crucial part of the process leading up to the final decision being made by the minister in February 2026.

 

[ship happens]

I want to rewrite the headline


Science returns to the Vancouver Aquarium since the Moby Doll whale that we harpooned and dragged over here to that very beach right there







How many parking spots are there on Stanley park? How many trucks we got?

 

[chille51]

Cross posted for visibility:

My email - with some help from AI I tried to summarize the core arguments I've seen on these threads, and support them with official DFO data where possible. Take what pieces you like for your own.

Sent to DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca, cc to my local MP, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Shadow Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Proposed 2026 SRKW Conservation Measures: Misguided and Economically Devastating

Dear Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Management and Policy Teams,

I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the proposed 2026 area-based closures for the recreational Chinook fishery in the Strait of Georgia (SOG) and Southern Vancouver Island (SVI). While I fully support science-based measures to protect and recover the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population, these proposals appear to misdirect significant regulatory effort toward a low-impact activity, placing undue economic stress on coastal communities while neglecting far greater threats identified by DFO's own scientific findings.

My opposition is based on the following critical points, which prioritize SRKW energetic needs and actual threat abatement:

DFO's own assessments consistently identify other major threats that area-based recreational fishing closures do not address and which must be the priority focus for SRKW recovery.

• SRKW Recovery Strategy Review: Identifies reduced prey availability, high contaminant loads, and acoustic/physical disturbance from vessels as the principal threats.
• Acoustic and Physical Disturbance: Vessel noise from large commercial shipping and intensive commercial whale-watching activities severely interferes with the SRKW's echolocation, making successful foraging difficult, especially for breeding females. While recent vessel strike incidents have targeted humpbacks, the chronic, pervasive acoustic impact from these high-traffic, large-vessel fleets in critical habitat poses a direct, persistent threat. Closing an area to a few recreational vessels has a negligible effect compared to the massive acoustic impacts of major vessel traffic and the constant presence of commercial viewing fleets.

Restricting the recreational Chinook fishery imposes a high cost on local communities with minimal conservation benefit, jeopardizing a crucial segment of the provincial economy.

• Economic Contribution: Recreational and sport fishing in British Columbia contributes approximately $1 billion a year to local economies in revenues and taxes.
• Employment Impact: This sector directly and indirectly supports approximately 9,000 people and their families who depend on fishing services, transportation, and accommodation for their livelihoods. Restrictive, broad closures threaten the viability of these small businesses and coastal jobs.

The recreational fishery's impact on the SRKW's overall required prey base is minimal, especially when compared to the documented loss of Chinook in other sectors.

• Scientific Estimates: SRKW populations may require over 1,000,000 Chinook per year for sustenance. Stopping recreational fishing, which takes a statistically small proportion of this number, results in a negligible increase in available prey for the whales.
• Commercial Bycatch: Enhanced DFO monitoring has revealed that groundfish trawl fisheries (targeting hake and flounder) have incidentally caught and killed an estimated ~28,000 salmon (primarily Chinook) per season in recent years. This massive waste of Chinook, which includes threatened Fraser River stocks, is the equivalent of a year's food for 5 to 7 Southern Resident Killer Whales. This interception and discard of prey represents a far more significant and addressable threat to prey availability than the retention limits placed on sport fishers.

The efficacy of broad, area-based closures is undermined by the whales' actual foraging locations and seasonal nutritional challenges.

• Prey Availability Bottleneck: Groundbreaking hydroacoustic research (Trites & Saygili, 2024) indicates that the availability of large Chinook salmon in core SRKW summer feeding areas (Salish Sea) is higher than in the feeding areas used by the healthier Northern Resident population. This finding strongly suggests that the prey limitation bottleneck is not occurring during the summer foraging window within the proposed closure areas.
• Seasonal Malnutrition Origin: Scientific aerial body condition assessments of SRKWs often show that individuals arrive in the Salish Sea in the summer months already exhibiting poor body condition or signs of malnutrition. This, combined with the hydroacoustic findings, suggests that the critical prey limitation period is occurring during the winter and early spring months when the whales are primarily foraging along the outer coasts and south of Canadian waters (e.g., off Washington, Oregon, and California). Measures focusing solely on summer prey in the SOG fail to address this crucial, earlier nutritional deficit.

Instead of broad, static area closures that cause economic harm with minimal ecological benefit, DFO should implement targeted and adaptive strategies that prioritize both SRKW conservation and community viability:

• Adopt Dynamic 'Moving Bubble' Sanctuaries: Instead of closing entire, large areas based on potential whale presence, DFO should leverage real-time sighting data (e.g., from the B.C. Cetacean Sighting Network) to create mandatory dynamic exclusion zones (e.g., a 1 km radius) that follow confirmed SRKW groups. This 'moving sanctuary' model ensures the whales are protected from localized acoustic and physical disturbance exactly when and where they are foraging, while allowing responsible fishing and boating outside of the immediate vicinity.
• Prioritize Marked Selective Fisheries (MSF): To meet both conservation and economic goals, DFO must shift its focus toward modern, marked selective fisheries (MSF) for Chinook. These fisheries primarily target abundant hatchery-raised Chinook (marked with an adipose clip), thereby reducing pressure on threatened wild, high-lipid Fraser River Chinook stocks that the SRKWs prefer. This approach allows local recreational fishing to continue, supporting coastal communities, while ensuring the most critical prey stocks are protected for the whales.

In Summary: I urge DFO to immediately reprioritize its conservation efforts. The proposed broad recreational closures disproportionately impact coastal livelihoods while failing to address the principal threats. DFO must focus on strengthening measures against high-impact threats:

1. Strictly enforce and strengthen commercial trawl Chinook bycatch caps.
2. Aggressively reduce underwater acoustic and physical disturbance from major commercial shipping traffic and high-intensity commercial whale-watching vessels.
3. Implement dynamic, 'moving bubble' sanctuaries based on real-time SRKW sightings.
4. Immediately transition recreational fisheries to Marked Selective Fisheries (MSF) to prioritize the protection and increase of the large, wild Chinook stocks preferred by SRKWs.
5. Invest in contaminant reduction and habitat-based rebuilding of high-quality Fraser River Chinook stocks.

Thank you for considering this science- and economics-informed feedback.

Sincerely,

REDACTED

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[chille51]

With these references attached:


The arguments presented above are supported by official government and peer-reviewed scientific findings:

On Seasonal Prey Abundance and Bottlenecks:

• Trites & Saygili Study: Hydroacoustic surveys comparing the density of large Chinook salmon in core summer feeding areas found that densities were higher in SRKW habitat (Salish Sea) than in Northern Resident Killer Whale habitat, suggesting that the SRKW prey limitation is occurring in the winter/early spring or elsewhere in their range, not primarily in the summer.
  • Reference: Saygili, B., & Trites, A. W. (2024). Prevalence of Chinook salmon is higher for southern than for northern resident killer whales in summer hot-spot feeding areas. PLoS ONE, 19(10), e0311388.

On Commercial Bycatch:

• DFO Bycatch Reports: Enhanced DFO monitoring has repeatedly recorded Chinook salmon bycatch in the B.C. groundfish trawl fishery near 28,000 fish per season (e.g., 2022/2023 season), with the majority being Chinook salmon, the primary prey of SRKWs.
  • Reference: Labbé, S. (2025). B.C. trawlers snagged 28K salmon as bycatch for second consecutive season. Business in Vancouver. (Citing DFO enhanced monitoring reports).

On Acoustic Disturbance and Foraging Impairment:

• Foraging Success Study: Peer-reviewed research demonstrates that vessel noise causes auditory masking that significantly reduces the foraging efficiency and success of killer whales, particularly impairing females' ability to pursue prey.
  • Reference: Tennessen, M. A., et al. (2019). Males miss and females forgo: Auditory masking from vessel noise impairs foraging efficiency and success in killer whales. Global Change Biology, 25(10), 3433–3448.

On SRKW Nutritional Stress and Prey Selectivity:

• Seasonal Malnutrition: DFO Science Advisory Reports confirm that SRKWs show evidence of poor body condition in the spring, indicating nutritional limitation outside of the summer Salish Sea foraging window, and that they select for specific stocks (Fraser River Spring/Summer) of large, high-lipid Chinook.
  • Reference: DFO. (2025). Science Advisory Report 2025/016: Southern Resident Killer Whale Prey Selectivity in Relation to Chinook Salmon Stock and Size Composition within Canadian Critical Habitat.

On Economic Impact

• • Economic Contribution of BC Fisheries: The recreational fishing sector in British Columbia generates significant revenue and employment, contributions that are jeopardized by large-scale static closures.
    • Reference: The figures are derived from the DFO's 2021 economic surveys. (The British Columbia marine recreational fishery contributes over $1 billion annually to GDP and supports approximately 10,000 jobs).

 

[onefish]

Don't confuse them with facts when emotions and political expedience is all that is really needed.