OTTAWA, ON, April 14, 2021 / CNW / – The Southern Resident Killer Whale is a symbol of the Pacific Coast of the Canada, and this endangered species is of significant cultural significance to Indigenous peoples and coastal communities in British Columbia. The government of Canada has taken strong and consistent action to protect and restore its people, and will continue to do so. For the third year in a row, it will take action to better protect these whales in Canadian waters.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honorable Omar Alghabra, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honorable Bernadette Jordan, and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, have announced protective measures for this year and the years to come.
These measures include the following:
- For a second year, all vessels are prohibited from approaching a killer whale within 400 meters in the coastal waters of southern British Columbia between Campbell River and Ucluelet, including in Barkley Sound and Howe Sound. This measure is in effect until May 31, 2022.
- Reintroduction of three temporary refuge areas off Pender and Saturna Islands and at Swiftsure Bank, effective from 1is June to November 30, 2021. No vessel will be authorized to circulate in these areas, with a few exceptions for emergency situations and native boats or vessels.
- Establishment of commercial and recreational salmon fishery closures in part of Swiftsure Bank from July 16 to October 31, 2021, and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca from 1is August to October 31, 2021. These measures will help protect killer whales’ access to chinook salmon with minimum disturbance in key feeding areas.
- Reintroduction of a new pilot protocol for the closure of commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the southern Gulf Islands. According to this protocol, a first confirmed presence of the Southern Resident Killer Whale in the area leads to the closure of the fishery. Surveillance will begin in the sector on 1is June 2021, and when the presence of the Southern Resident Killer Whale is confirmed, the fishery will be closed and will remain in effect until October 31, 2021.
- Continue to help reduce contaminants in the environment that harm killer whales and their prey. Long-term measures focus in particular on strengthening regulatory controls, surveillance and research, information and data exchange, and increasing awareness and education.
Effectively ensuring the protection and recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale requires a long-term collective effort on the part of the Government of Canada. Canada and other partners. These actions again take into account advice gathered from First Nations, Southern Resident Killer Whale Technical Working Groups, the Indigenous and Multi-stakeholder Advisory Group, and through public consultations.
Citations
“Healthy biodiversity is essential to our long-term prosperity. That is why, for the past three years, our government has worked with several partners to help ensure the protection of the Southern Resident Killer Whale. With the With the recent birth of three new calves, it is essential that we continue our efforts to ensure a quieter and safer environment for this emblematic species. “
L’honorable Omar Alghabra
Minister of Transport
“Our government has made the protection of the iconic Southern Resident Killer Whale a legal and moral duty. We see that the strengthened measures we have taken have encouraging results, but we are not finished. We will continue to build on our success and work in partnership with industry and Indigenous groups to ensure the survival and growth of this species. Southern Resident Killer Whales have made their home along our Pacific coast for thousands of years – we want them to stay there for generations and return to their once dense population. “
L’honorable Bernadette Jordan
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
“Together, we are protecting the iconic and culturally important Southern Resident Killer Whale. Stricter controls and increased monitoring of contaminants are part of the sustained, long-term efforts to help these magnificent animals recover and thrive. “
L’honorable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
“Southern Resident Killer Whales are an integral part of British Columbia culture. In addition, healthy killer whales help maintain a healthy ocean, which is critical to the economic prosperity of coastal and Indigenous communities across the province. Through protective measures, investments in research and collaboration, the Government of Canada ensures that our oceans are ecologically and economically sustainable over the long term. Ongoing work is essential to get this iconic species on the road to recovery. “
Terry Beech
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Member of Parliament for Burnaby North – Seymour
The facts in brief
- The Minister of Transport will also renew the agreement with local whale watching and ecotourism companies who have re-committed not to offer or promote tours focused on the Southern Resident Killer Whale.
- The 2020 actions resulted in more than 155 law enforcement actions. There were fewer violations than in previous years, which attests to the success of the boaters’ awareness campaign during the season. These efforts will be increased this year
- The Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) program aimed at improving cetacean habitat and observation, led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, will also announce measures targeting large commercial vessels in the coming weeks.
- In 2019, the government of Canada signed a five-year agreement with industry partners as part of the ECHO program to improve cetacean habitats and their observation. This program witnesses large commercial vessels circulating in Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat voluntarily developing and implementing threat reduction measures to support Killer Whale recovery.
- The Oceans Protection Plan of the Canada, the whale initiative and an additional federal investment of $ 61.5 million to support the survival and recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales, North Atlantic Right Whales and Estuary Beluga Whales. Saint Laurent by implementing protective measures, increasing research and surveillance activities and taking measures to deal with major threats.
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SOURCE Transport Canada
For further information: Allison St-Jean, Press Secretary, Office of the Honorable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, Ottawa, 613-290-8656, [email protected]; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055, [email protected]; Jane Deeks, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-550-9594, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 613-990-7537, [email protected]; Moira Kelly, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-271-6218, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free), [email protected]
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