Fishery Notice

This notice provides information on planned fisheries management measures for the recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales that will be in place from 00:01 hours June 17 until 23:59 November 30, 2026.

Subarea 18-9, and those portions of 18-2, 18-4, and 18-5 inside a line drawn from Collinson Point on Galiano Island at 48°51.590' N and 123°21.152' W, then easterly to 48°51.450' N and 123° 20.722' W at Helen Point on Mayne Island, then southerly following the shoreline of Mayne Island to 48°50.010' N and 123°19.675' W at Dinner Point, then southerly to 48°49.141' N and 123°19.632' W at Stanley Point on North Pender Island, then southerly following the shoreline of North Pender Island to 48°44.199' N and 123°13.893' W at Wallace Point, then easterly to 48°43.951' N and 123°12.489' W at Tilly Point on South Pender Island, then easterly following the shoreline of South Pender Island to 48°44.697' N and 123°10.467' W at Teece Point on South Pender Island, then northeasterly to 48°45.817' N and 123°09.319' W at Murder Point on Saturna Island, then easterly following the shoreline of Saturna Island to 48°46.967' N and 123°02.733' W near Saturna Island Sector Light, then southeasterly to a point in water at 48°46.934' N and 123°02.665' W, then southwesterly to a point in water at 48°46.558' N and 123°03.147' W, then southwesterly to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°44.866' N and 123°04.638' W, then westerly following the international boundary with the United States of America to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°43.063' N and 123°11.026' W, then southwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°41.640' N and 123°16.073' W, then southerly to a point in water intersecting with the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°41.269' N and 123°15.948' W, then westerly to 48°41.088' N and 123°17.622' W at Arachne Reef Light, then northeasterly to a point in water approximately 0.5 nautical miles from the shoreline of Moresby Island at 48°42.753' N and 123°16.439' W, then northwesterly to a point in water located approximately 0.5 nautical miles from the shoreline of Moresby Island at 48°44.563' N and 123°18.529' W, then westerly to a point in water at 48°44.263' N and 123°19.142' W, then northwesterly to 48°46.522' N and 123°22.002' W at Beaver Point on Saltspring Island, then northerly to a point at 48°49.285' N and 123°21.301' W on Prevost Island, then northerly following the shoreline of Prevost Island to 48°49.979' N and 123°21.883' W near Porter Bight on Prevost Island, and then northeasterly in a straight line back to the point of commencement. 

Variation order : 2026-RCT-212

In addition, all fishing is prohibited (with some exceptions) from June 1 until November 30, 2026, in the Vessel Restricted Zones (previously known as Interim Sanctuary Zones) located in portions of Subarea 18-4 (Pender Island) and Subarea 18-5 and 18-11 (Saturna Island). More information on this area can be found in Fisheries Notice FN0547.

In addition, fishing is prohibited in the following areas on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in support of Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery:

Commercial and recreational salmon fishing is prohibited in a portion of 29-3 at the Mouth of the Fraser River from August 1 to September 30, 2026; in Subarea 21-0 and a portion of Subarea 20-1, 121-1 and 121-2 from July 15 until October 31, 2026, and in Subareas 20-4 and 20-5 from August 1 until October 31, 2026. A separate Variation Order and Fishery Notice will be provided in advance of the effective dates.
 
The Southern Resident Killer Whale population is small and declining, with only 74 individuals remaining and is exposed to a number of anthropogenic threats, including reduced prey availability, physical and acoustic disturbance (including underwater noise and disturbance from vessels), and contaminants. 

Beginning June 1, 2026, there is a new enhanced approach distance for Southern Resident Killer Whales. Vessels must stay 1,000 m away from Southern Resident Killer Whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2027, as per the Interim Order enacted under the Canada Shipping Act.

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.

- 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.

- Voluntary Speed Reduction Zone - reduce speed to no more than 10 knots in Tumbo Channel, when safe to do so.

For further information on the suite of Southern Resident Killer Whale mandatory and voluntary management measures, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/southern-resident-killer-whales. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Marine Mammal Team 
DFO.SRKW-ERS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN0597
Sent June 15, 2026 at 1604

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on June 17, 2026 at 1610