IronNoggin
Well-Known Member
Input on recovery of Southern Resident killer whale potential general vessel management measures for 2025 and 2026
Current status: Open
Opened on January 10, 2025, and will close to input on February 26, 2025
Southern Resident killer whales are identified as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act. As of July 2024, only 73 individuals remain, and supporting their recovery is a key priority for the Government of Canada.
The focus of this survey is to seek feedback on potential general vessel management measures for 2025 and 2026. On June 3, 2024, the 2024 and 2025 salmon fishing closures in support of Southern Resident killer whale recovery were announced, so are not under consultation as part of this survey.
The following potential management measures are intended to address the key threat of increased underwater noise and physical disturbance in their habitat. We are seeking your feedback to help us refine the proposed vessel measures and to help us understand potential implications of management approaches.
Since 2019, the Government of Canada has implemented a suite of measures, including annual vessel management measures, each year to protect and further support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales, including:
- area-based commercial and recreational salmon fishing closures to increase prey (primarily Chinook salmon) availability in Southern Resident killer whale foraging areas
- Interim Order to increase the vessel approach distance for killer whales (and prohibition against positioning a vessel in the path of killer whales)
- Interim Sanctuary Zones (no go zones)
- Speed Restricted Zones (vessel slow down zones)
- Voluntary speed reduction zone (voluntary slow down zone)
- voluntary fishing avoidance zone (stop fishing within 1000m of killer whales)
- voluntary vessel measures to minimize disturbance in the presence of killer whales
These measures are informed by the best available information and science as well as advice from First Nations, Indigenous groups, the Indigenous Multi-Nation group, the Indigenous and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (IMAG), the Southern Resident killer whale Technical Working Groups (TWGs), stakeholders and the public. Additionally, the Government of Canada partners with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program to inform the development of measures for Large Commercial Vessels, including slowdowns and a lateral displacement of vessels.
The information and advice received from these forums, lessons learned from previous years’ measures, recovery efforts underway in the US, science information, and other Government of Canada processes are all used to help inform development of annual management measures.
We invite you to fill out the survey via the link below to have your voice heard to inform the vessel measures for 2025 and 2026 in support of Southern Resident killer whale recovery.
How to participate
Complete the online survey
Who is the focus of this engagement
We are seeking input from:
- Indigenous organizations and First Nations
- stakeholders
- the Canadian public
Your ideas and input are sought around potential 2025 and 2026 Southern Resident killer whale general vessel management measures within the Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat and a portion of the area where they are commonly found. This includes the key areas of Swiftsure Bank and the Gulf Islands.
Contact us
Email: TC.SRKW-ERS.TC@tc.gc.ca
Input on recovery of Southern Resident killer whale potential general vessel management measures for 2025 and 2026 | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Input on recovery of Southern Resident killer whale potential general vessel management measures for 2025 and 2026
