June 08, 2026
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program is continuing the 2026 season of voluntary on-water initiatives, marking the program's 10th year of collaborative efforts to help protect at-risk whales.
Beginning June 1, the Swiftsure Bank voluntary slowdown and Strait of Juan de Fuca voluntary route alteration will be in effect. The Haro Strait and Boundary Pass voluntary slowdown may also begin as early as June 1, depending on southern resident killer whale presence in the area.
The ECHO Program team will communicate the timing of this slowdown directly to the marine industry and participating organizations.
Building on strong participation and collaboration from previous years, including the recent March 2026 slowdown trial, the ECHO Program continues to work with partners across the marine transportation sector to maintain high participation rates throughout the season. The parameters of the voluntary slowdowns and route alteration remain the same as 2025.
Since 2017, over 30,000 transits have participated in the initiatives and successfully reduced underwater sound intensity from commercial ships by up to 50% in key southern resident killer whale foraging areas.
Source: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority