Ottawa, Ontario - Canada's west coast is home to one of the most iconic and recognizable marine species - the Southern Resident killer whale. This species faces imminent threats to its recovery and survival that all levels of government must work together to address. The three primary threats facing this species are: physical and acoustic disturbance such as underwater noise; reduced prey availability; and environmental contaminants.
Since 2018, the Government of Canada has taken unprecedented action to address threats to the Southern Resident killer whale, and has done so in consultation and partnership with Indigenous communities and stakeholders. This includes area-based fishing closures, interim sanctuary zones, speed restriction zones, increased approach distances for vessels, enhancement of Chilliwack River Chinook salmon, scientific monitoring, pollution prevention initiatives, outreach and education, and, compliance and enforcement activities. We will continue to take the necessary and responsible actions to step up protection for this species.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, proposed additional actions to address threats to Southern Resident killer whales that build on existing measures.
The Government of Canada is proposing to:
- increase vessel approach distance for Southern Resident killer whales;
- progressively prohibit vessel discharge of washwater from scrubber systems in Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat;
- adjust salmon fishing closures for 2025 and/or 2026 in key areas where Southern Resident killer whale forage for food as needed; and,
- identify interim underwater noise objectives within Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat, which will serve as benchmarks to measure noise level changes over time and guide efforts to reduce underwater noise.
As a next step, the Government of Canada will consult and engage with First Nations, Wildlife Management Boards, stakeholders, and other potentially affected parties to seek their views on the scope and implementation of these proposed measures. These discussions will help identify potential impacts on communities and stakeholders, and explore ways to mitigate them, where possible.
Southern Resident killer whales are long-lived and reproduce slowly. Their recovery is a long-term goal requiring sustained effort (potentially decades) and monitoring. As a protected species under Canada's Species at Risk Act, the Government of Canada will continue to promote activities that contribute to the survival and recovery of the Southern Resident killer whale.
