Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is conducting a consultation with the Southern Resident Killer Whale Indigenous and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group and Technical Working Group Members on five measures intended to address imminent threats to the survival and recovery of orcas resident to the south coast of British Columbia. These incremental measures are being proposed in response to a petition made to the federal government in 2024 seeking an Emergency Order under the Species at Risk Act to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales. The government declined to make an Emergency Order, offering several alternatives to strengthen existing protections.
Among the incremental measures under consideration are:
- Adjustments to the Southern Resident Killer Whale commercial and recreational salmon fishing closures for 2026 will be considered and consulted on under the Fisheries Act.
- Chinook salmon rolling fishing closures for 2026 will be considered and consulted on under the Fisheries Act.
- Increasing approach distance to 1000 metres for Southern Resident Killer Whales through amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations under the Fisheries Act (initiative underway since 2023; DFO is targeting pre-publication in Canada Gazette 1 in Fall 2025, please see the What We Heard Report).
- The Government of Canada also plans to identify interim underwater noise objectives within Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat by Summer 2026 (further information expected to be shared later in 2025).
- Phased-in prohibitions on the discharge of washwater from exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubber systems, in Southern Resident Killer Whale critical habitat under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (targeted consultation expected to begin Fall 2025).
DFO is seeking feedback on the proposed 2026 prey management measure options for Southern Resident Killer Whales, including input on the potential stabilization of the area-based fishing closures over the long term. Materials from the September 17 meeting are available here. Please submit any feedback by October 31, 2025 to DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.