Summary of input provided on management measures to address key threats to Southern Resident killer whales

Southern Resident killer whales were listed as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003. Southern Resident killer whales are an iconic species and supporting their recovery is a key priority for the Government of Canada. In 2018, it was determined that Southern Resident killer whales are facing imminent threats to their survival and recovery. In support of their recovery, a number of management measures were implemented, beginning in 2018.

In 2019, the Government of Canada implemented a suite of measures to protect and further support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales, including:

• implemented area-based fishing closures to increase Chinook salmon availability in Southern Resident killer whale foraging areas
• increased vessel approach distance for killer whales
• implemented Interim Sanctuary Zones
• voluntary fishing avoidance zone (stop fishing within 1000m of killer whales)
• voluntary vessel measures to minimize disturbance in the presence of killer whales

Since 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Transport Canada (TC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Parks Canada Agency (PCA) have worked with Indigenous groups, the Indigenous and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group (IMAG), the Southern Resident killer whale Technical Working Groups (TWGs), and stakeholders to inform the development of the management measures. As well, the Government of Canada has continued partnering 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 slow downs and a lateral displacement of vessels.

The advice received from these forums has informed the development of management measures for consultation with Indigenous groups and stakeholders from 2019 to 2021. Additionally considered in the development of the management measures has been lessons learned from previous years’ measures, recovery efforts underway in the US, science information, and other Government of Canada processes such as the southern BC salmon Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) process.

The Government of Canada continues to support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales. In addition to the management measures, the Government of Canada is advancing longer-term actions that address the primary threats to the protection and recovery of this population, including reduced prey availability, contaminants, and physical and acoustic disturbance.

Who has been the focus of these consultations

In 2019 and 2020, the Government of Canada, represented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Transport Canada (TC), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Parks Canada Agency (PCA), was looking for comments from:

• Indigenous groups
• stakeholders
• the Canadian public

And in 2021 we engaged and consulted with:

• Indigenous groups
• stakeholders

What we heard

Final Reports

• What we heard: Overview of Government of Canada consultation on proposed Southern Resident killer whale recovery management measures for 2021
• What we heard: Overview of Government of Canada consultation on proposed Southern Resident killer whale recovery management measures for 2020
• What we heard: Overview of Government of Canada consultation on proposed Southern Resident killer whale recovery measures for 2019

Related links

• Minister's announcement on additional measures: Government of Canada taking further action to protect Southern Resident killer whales
• SRKW imminent threat opinion:
• News release: Summary of the imminent threat assessment for the Southern Resident killer whale
• Assessment: Southern Resident Killer Whale Imminent Threat Assessment
• Resident Killer Whale recovery documents on SARA public registry:
• Recovery Strategy for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in Canada
• Action Plan for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in Canada

Contact us

Email: DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca