The government of Canada has announced measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales which are iconic to Canada‘s Pacific coast and hold deep cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities in British Columbia.
“Canada remains committed to protecting Southern Resident killer whales, working alongside partners to aid in their recovery while supporting sustainable economic growth in the waters they inhabit,” said Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries. “These efforts respect their cultural significance to Pacific coastal communities and Indigenous Peoples and their vital role in the marine ecosystem.”
The measures will primarily address acoustic and physical disturbance to Southern Resident killer whales from recreational, fishing, and whale watching vessels. They include:
- mandatory and voluntary speed restricted zones
- an agreement with authorized local whale watching and ecotourism industry partners to abstain from offering or promoting tours viewing Southern Resident killer whales
- fishery closures for commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in key Southern Resident killer whale foraging areas.
- continued actions to reduce contaminants in the environment affecting whales and their prey, including developing tools to track pollutants and their sources and monitoring contaminants in air, freshwater, sediments, and wastewater.
There is also a continued requirement for vessels to stay at least 400 meters away from all killer whales, though Fisheries and Oceans Canada proposes to increase the approach distance to 1,000 meters for Southern Resident killer whales through amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations under the Fisheries Act.
The federal government will continue its ongoing efforts and long-term actions alongside all partners, including First Nations, stakeholders, and the marine and tourism industries to support the protection and recovery of the Southern Resident killer whale population.
“Nature is part of our very identity as Canadians,” said Julie Dabrusin
Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “This new government is committed to conserving more nature and biodiversity than ever before. The survival of Southern Resident killer whales is at risk if we don’t act. These new measures will help identify and assess sources of contaminants that affect the whales and their food supply, so we can better protect this iconic mammal that is part of Canada’s natural heritage.”
