The Government of Canada 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 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.

The species has been listed as endangered under Canada's Species at Risk Act since 2003, and as of July 1, 2024, only 73 individuals remain.

 

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