The Government of Canada has announced new measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales and aid in their population recovery. Ministers Jonathan Wilkinson (Natural Resources) and Steven Guilbeault (Environment and Climate Change) detailed these measures, which took effect on June 1.
The 2024 and 2025 initiatives include:
- Speed Restrictions: Two mandatory speed-restricted zones near Swiftsure Bank from June 1 to November 30, 2024.
- Sanctuary Zones: Two interim sanctuary zones off Pender and Saturna Islands, effective June 1 to November 30, 2024.
- Voluntary Speed Reduction: A voluntary speed reduction zone in Tumbo Channel, off the north side of Saturna Island.
- Vessel Restrictions: A continued requirement for vessels to maintain at least a 400-metre distance from all killer whales and a prohibition on impeding their path in Southern British Columbia coastal waters, including Campbell River, Ucluelet, Barkley Sound, and Howe Sound, until May 31, 2025.
- Tourism Agreement: An agreement with local whale watching and ecotourism industry partners to abstain from offering or promoting tours that view Southern Resident killer whales.
- Fishery Closures: Commercial and recreational salmon fishery closures in key foraging areas for Southern Resident killer whales in 2024 and 2025.
- Contaminant Reduction: Additional actions to reduce environmental contaminants affecting whales and their prey.
Additionally, Transport Canada will provide $3.2 million over two years to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to continue the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program. This program conducts groundbreaking research and coordinates voluntary threat reduction initiatives, encouraging ship operators to slow down or stay distanced while travelling through key areas of Southern Resident killer whale habitat in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, Swiftsure Bank, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
