Fishery Notice

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident Killer Whales face imminent threats to their survival and recovery and has implemented measures to support the recovery of this endangered population.

The Government of Canada is implementing  a suite of management measures this summer that help address the key threats of reduced prey availability (primarily Chinook salmon), and acoustic and physical disturbance. The Government of Canada is issuing an Interim Order under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 effective June 1, 2024, to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales from vessel disturbance. 2024 Southern Resident Killer Whale management measures under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (Interim Order) includes vessel management measures in certain areas in the Gulf Islands, including Interim Sanctuary Zones located off the east coast of Saturna Island, and south-west of North Pender Island - Effective June 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024.  

Vessels are prohibited from entering areas designated as Interim Sanctuary Zones. These zones are located off the east coast of Saturna Island and south-west of North Pender Island. 

1. Saturna Island [Saturna Island Interim Sanctuary Zone]
Those portions of Subareas 18-5 and 18-11 off Saturna Island inside a line commencing on the shoreline of Saturna Island at 48°47.150' north latitude and 123°02.733' west longitude [North Boundary East Point], then northwesterly to a point in water at 48°47.367' north latitude and 123°02.915' west longitude [Thumbo Channel], thence northeasterly to a point in water at 48°47.617' north latitude and 123°02.483' west longitude [Northwest Corner (East of Thumbo Point)], thence southeasterly to a point in water at 48°47.473' north latitude and 123°01.975 west longitude [Northeast Corner (Boiling Reef)], thence southwesterly to a point in water at 48°46.558' north latitude and 123°03.147' west longitude [Boundary Pass], thence southwesterly to a point in water at 48°46.333' north latitude and 123°03.805' west longitude [Southeast Corner], thence westerly to a point in water at 48°46.350' north latitude and 123°05.150' west longitude [Southwest Corner (Narvaez Bay)], thence due north to a point in water at 48°46.683'N and 123°05.150'W [Fiddler's Cove], and thence northeasterly along the shoreline back to the point of commencement. 

2. Pender Island [Pender Island Interim Sanctuary Zone]
That portion of Subarea 18-4 west of Pender Island inside a line commencing at a point at 48°44.167'N and 123°13.917'W [Southeast Boundary (Wallace Point)] westerly to a point in water located at 48°44.153'N and 123°15.517'W [Southwest Boundary (Swanson Channel)], thence northwesterly to a point in water at 48°45.817'N and 123°19.300'W [Northwest Boundary (Swanson Channel)], thence northeasterly to point at 48°46.217'N and 123°18.867'W [Northeast Boundary (South of Thieves Bay)], and thence southeasterly following the shoreline back to the point of commencement. 

Some exceptions are provided including:

Exceptions include:
(a) a vessel being used to access a private residence, a commercial establishment or any other establishment providing a service, if travel in the waters is the only practical means of doing; 

(b) a human-powered vessel navigating at a distance of 20 m or less from the shoreline — meaning the line where the water surface touches the land;

(c) a vessel in distress or providing assistance to a person or vessel in distress;

(d) a vessel involved in pollution response operations;

(e) a vessel avoiding immediate or unforeseen danger;

(f) a vessel being used to fish or a person fishing under a licence issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations
  (i) for food, social or ceremonial purposes, or
  (ii)for domestic purposes pursuant to a treaty within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;

(g) an employee of the Government of Canada or peace officer who is performing their duties, or a person who is assisting them or who is otherwise present at the request of the Government of Canada;

(h) a person acting in a manner authorized under the Species at Risk Act, Marine Mammal Regulations or Fishery (General) Regulations

The Canada Shipping Act, 2001, Interim Order also implements two Speed Restricted Zones where vessels are required to slow down to a maximum of 10 knots (with some exceptions) while in the areas near Swiftsure Bank from June 1 until November 30, 2024; and prohibits all vessels from approaching any killer whale within a 400-metre distance (with some exceptions) in all southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2025. For more information on the Interim Order, please visit: 

https://tc.canada.ca/en/interim-order-protection-killer-whale-orcinus-orca-waters-southern-british-columbia 


Variation orders: 2024-185 and 2024-RCT-184

The Southern Resident Killer Whale population is small and declining, with only 75, and is exposed to a number of anthropogenic threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from vessels. Given the imminent threats whales are facing, the Government is also asking vessel operators to respect the following voluntary measures:

-Stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1,000 metres of killer whales and let them pass;

-Respect a "Go Slow" zone around whales by reducing speed to less than 7 knots when within 1,000 metres of a killer whale; and

-Reduce noise by turning echo sounders and fish finders off when not in use, and turning engines to neutral idle and allow animals to pass if your vessel is not in compliance with the approach distance regulations

-New for this year, a voluntary Speed Reduction Zone is being implemented in Tumbo Channel. Vessels should reduce speed to no more than 10 knots in this area, when safe to do so.

As per the Fishery Notice 0411 on May 1, 2024, additional fisheries management measures will come into force in Swiftsure Bank, the Juan de Fuca Strait, and the mouth of the Fraser River that apply to commercial and recreational salmon fishing activities in certain Subareas. 
Additionally, fishery closures for commercial and recreational salmon fisheries are  in effect for the southern Gulf Islands from May 8 to November 30, 2024. For more information on these closures, please see FN0425.

For additional information please visit the following link: 
https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Marine Mammal Team, Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0469
Sent May 22, 2024 at 1152

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on September 7, 2024 at 2052