The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident killer whales continue to face imminent threats to their survival and recovery, and that protecting these iconic marine mammals requires comprehensive and immediate action. The 2026 management measures focus on addressing one of the primary threats to Southern Resident killer whales: acoustic and physical disturbance from vessels.
The mandatory vessel measures would be implemented through an Interim Order, under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, which is used if the Minister of Transport is of the opinion that there is a direct or indirect risk to marine safety or to the marine environment.
Approach distance
In alignment with the proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations, pre-published in Canada Gazette, Part I on March 6, 2026 and in coordination with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada will implement a
1,000-metre approach distance for Southern Resident killer whales in Southern B.C coastal waters through the 2026 Interim Order (IO).
These proposed amendments reflect the Government of Canada's commitment to develop longer-term actions for the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales and to implement incremental measures to address imminent threats to Southern Resident killer whales, as announced in March 2025. The proposed amendments reflect the best available scientific advice, Indigenous Knowledge and stakeholder feedback, as captured in the published What We Heard Report.
Speed restricted zones
From June 1 until November 30, 2026, all vessels must slow down to a maximum of 10 knots over (ground speed) in two speed restricted zones near Swiftsure Bank. The first area is in the Protected Fisheries Management Area 121-1 and the second speed restricted zone is located near the mouth of the Nitinat River from Carmanah Point to Longitude 125 degrees west.
Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program (ECHO)
For the tenth year in a row, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean and Habitat Observation (ECHO) Program will coordinate large-scale threat reduction measures to support the recovery of endangered southern resident killer whales. These measures will include a commercial ship slowdown in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass and Swiftsure Bank, and a route alteration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Full details of the ECHO Program's voluntary measures, including dates, target slowdown speeds and location coordinates, are available on the ECHO Program's website (www.portvancouver.com/echo).
While the Transport Canada led-mandatory speed restricted zones and the ECHO Program led-voluntary slowdown zones both cover known foraging areas at or near Swiftsure Bank, they are separate measures and take place in different locations:
- The Transport Canada led-mandatory speed restricted zones take place north of the commercial shipping lanes across 22 nautical miles. Any vessel transiting the zone is required to slowdown to 10 knots, including recreational, fishing and tugs.
- The ECHO Program's voluntary slowdown at Swiftsure Bank takes place in the inbound and outbound commercial shipping lanes across 23 nautical miles. Large commercial vessel traffic within slowdown zone are encouraged to slowdown to either 11 or 14.5 knots speed through the water or less depending on the vessel type.
Vessel restricted zones
Formerly known as Interim Sanctuary Zones, Vessel Restricted Zones create spaces of refuge for the whales. The location of these zones is based on scientific and Indigenous knowledge of historically important areas for Southern Resident killer whales.
From June 1 until November 30, 2026, no vessel traffic or fishing activity is permitted in vessel restricted zones off the southwest coast of South Pender Island and the southeast end of Saturna Island. Exceptions will be allowed for emergency situations and vessels engaged in Indigenous food, social, and ceremonial fisheries.
To ensure the safety of those operating human-powered vessels, a 20-metre corridor next to shore will allow kayakers and other paddlers to transit through these zones. If a Southern Resident killer whale is in the sanctuary at the time, paddlers must remain 1,000 metres away from the whales.
Additional information
Contaminants are also a threat to Southern Resident killer whales. Considering the persistence of many contaminants in the environment, the Government of Canada and its partners have made progress on long-term actions to support Southern Resident killer whale recovery in the following areas:
- developed and implemented additional controls, such as regulations or guidelines, to reduce the threat of contaminants. Most significantly, Environment and Climate Change Canada has published the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025, which strengthen Canada's controls on some of the most harmful chemicals, namely Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Long-chain Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE);
- drafted a Framework to derive Environmental Quality Guidelines protective of apex marine mammals from persistent organic pollutants;
- conducted research and environmental monitoring to further our understanding of contaminants in the environment and their impacts;
- shared data, information, and knowledge among partners to inform decision-making; and
- maintained capacity to carry out targeted inspections of high-risk facilities, enforcing regulatory compliance and reducing contaminant releases.
The Government of Canada has also developed and updated the online Pollutants Affecting Whales and their Prey Inventory Tool, which maps estimates of pollutant releases within the habitats of Southern Resident killer whales and their primary prey, Chinook salmon. This tool helps identify pollutant hotspots and environmental quality guidelines exceedances and model the impacts of additional mitigation measures.
To better understand the threat of contaminants and to provide input into government action, the Government of Canada has led a technical working group focused on contaminants in the environment. This group is comprised of key partners from all orders of government, academia and non-governmental organizations. Together, they have:
- identified priority contaminants of concern;
- provided recommendations for long-term actions to support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales; and
- conducted important monitoring and research, to identify contaminant exposures to Southern Resident killer whales, their habitat and their prey.
The Government of Canada has also developed and updated the online Pollutants Affecting Whales and their Prey Inventory Tool, which maps estimates of pollutant releases within the habitats of Southern Resident killer whales and their primary prey, Chinook salmon. This tool helps identify pollutant hotspots and environmental quality guidelines exceedances and model the impacts of additional mitigation measures.
To better understand the threat of contaminants and to provide input into government action, the Government of Canada has led a technical working group focused on contaminants in the environment. This group is comprised of key partners from all orders of government, academia and non-governmental organizations. Together, they have:
- identified priority contaminants of concern;
- provided recommendations for long-term actions to support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales; and
- conducted important monitoring and research, to identify contaminant exposures to Southern Resident killer whales, their habitat and their prey.
