Give your input to DFO on vessel management to protect Southern Residents

Southern Resident killer whales are identified as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act. As of February 2025, only 73 individuals remain. Supporting their recovery has been identified as a key priority for the Government of Canada. 

We need your help to provide input to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by filling out their questionnaire. Please take 15 minutes and fill out their feedback form so we can help them get on the right track. 

We’ve provided some suggested answers below to help guide your input. 

Southern Gulf Islands — Pender Island

Question 1. Do you have comments or considerations regarding the proposed Interim Sanctuary Zone at Pender Island (identified in red in the map above) in the southern Gulf Islands? Considerations may include: socio-economic and cultural impacts or benefits to yourself or your community, on-water safety, benefits to species, and any other concerns you would like to raise with respect to this area and the measures.

SRKWs use Gulf Island waters in the winter and spring. The start date of the Pender Island sanctuary should reflect this and be based on the first presence of SRKW after March 1. June 1st is far too late in the season to begin threat reduction. The sanctuary must also be enforced for US and Canadian vessels. Boundaries are ignored because there are rarely consequences for violations. Monitoring should include vessels not equipped with AIS. These vessels outnumber AIS-equipped vessels 8 to 1.

Southern Gulf Island — Saturna Island

Question 2. Do you have comments or considerations regarding the proposed Interim Sanctuary Zone at Saturna Island (identified in red in the map above) in the southern Gulf Islands? Potential considerations may include: socio-economic and cultural impacts or benefits to yourself or your community, on-water safety, benefits to species, and any other concerns you would like to raise with respect to this area and the measures.

The recommendations made for the Pender Island sanctuary apply to the Saturna sanctuary as well.  The start date should be based on the first presence of SRKW after March 1. June 1st is far too late in the season to begin threat reduction. In addition, the ISZ along the southern shore of Saturna Island should be extended based on SRKW presence and use.

Question 3. Do you have comments or considerations regarding the voluntary Speed Restricted Zone (identified in purple in the map above) in the southern Gulf Islands? Potential considerations may include: socio-economic and cultural impacts or benefits to yourself or your community, on-water safety, benefits to species, and any other concerns you would like to raise with respect to this area and the measures.

Based on recent research findings about the use of Tumbo Channel by both Southern Resident killer whales and vessels, we believe that during the period that the Saturna Island Interim Sanctuary Zone is in place the voluntary speed restrictions in Tumbo Channel should be made mandatory and that the area should be closed to fishing.  

Swiftsure Bank

Question 4. Do you have comments or considerations regarding the proposed speed restricted areas (Orange Areas in the map above) off the west coast of Vancouver Island around Swiftsure Bank? Potential considerations may include: socio-economic and cultural impacts or benefits to yourself or your community, on-water safety, benefits to species, and any other concerns you would like to raise with respect to this area and the measures.

Speed restrictions are needed for small and large vessels to improve foraging conditions for SRKW. The 10-knot speed limit for small vessels around Swiftsure Bank may still be too high and does not reflect the most recent findings of vessel disturbance on SRKW foraging. Studies published by NOAA (2021) show foraging can be disrupted within 1 km of vessels, requiring lower speeds or vessel exclusions. Increased monitoring and surveillance of non-AIS vessels is also required.

Southern BC coastal waters

Question 5. Do you have comments or considerations regarding the proposed approach distance or the prohibition of impeding the path of a killer whale? Potential considerations may include: socio-economic impacts or benefits to yourself or your community, on-water safety, benefits to species.

The 400m vessel approach distance does not align with the best available science, which shows negative effects of vessel noise and disturbance on foraging within 1000m. Increasing the buffer to 1000m for all killer whales is necessary to further reduce foraging impacts and will harmonize Canadian regulations with new approach distance regulations in US waters. Language describing this distance should reflect terminology to avoid (not approach) Southern Residents.

Question 6. Do you have any comments or feedback you would like to share with the Government of Canada regarding Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery that are not captured in the previous survey questions?

Actions to date have not been sufficient to stop the decline in this population. Long-term recovery measures, not just short-term seasonal measures, should be implemented with a wider set of actions that reduce threats on a scale that is biologically meaningful for SRKWs.  In November, the federal government determined SRKW are under imminent threat of extinction. An Emergency Order under SARA should be used to implement outstanding conservation measures that can initiative recovery.

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