Fishery Notice

The Government of Canada recognizes that Southern Resident killer whales face imminent threats to their survival, and that protecting these iconic marine mammals requires comprehensive and immediate action. This notice provides further information on fisheries management measures for recreational and commercial salmon to support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales. Consistent with 2024 and 2025 fishing closures, the following areas are closed to all recreational fisheries, while commercial salmon fisheries will remain closed:

-Effective 00:01 hours July 15, 2026 until 23:59 hours October 31, 2026 for portions of Area 21 and Subareas 20-1, 121-1 and 121-2 at Swiftsure Bank (defined below);

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1, 2026 until 23:59 October 31, 2026 for portions of Subareas 20-4 and 20-5 in the Juan de Fuca Strait (defined below); and

-Effective 00:01 hours August 1, 2026 until 23:59 September 30, 2026 for portion of Subarea 29-3 at the mouth of the Fraser River (defined below).

These closures do not prohibit Indigenous food, social and ceremonial fisheries.

1. Swiftsure Bank

Those portions of Area 21 and Subareas of 121-1 and 121-2 inside a line drawn from a point near Trestle Creek at 48°42.399' N and 124°59.538' W then southeasterly following the Vancouver Island shoreline to a point near the western bank of Klanawa River at 48°41.989' N and 124°56.902' W then southeasterly to a point near the eastern bank of Klanawa River at 48°41.981' N and 124°56.804' W then southeasterly following the Vancouver Island shoreline to Tsuquanah Point at 48°40.132' N and 124°51.349' W then southeasterly to Whyac Point at 48°40.026' N and 124°50.983' W then southeasterly to point near Clo-oose Creek at 48°39.700' N and 124°49.181' W then southwesterly to point in water at 48° 38.600' N and 124° 49.900' W then southeasterly to point on Vancouver Island shoreline at 48°38.433' N and 124°47.767' W then southeasterly following the Vancouver Island shoreline to point on Vancouver Island shoreline at 48°37.350' N and 124°45.847' W then southwesterly to point in water at  48°37.000' N and 124°46.800' W then southeasterly to near Bonilla Point at 48°35.788' N and 124° 43.233' W then southeasterly following the Vancouver Island shoreline to Bonilla Point at 48°35.716' N and 124°43.065' W then southerly to point in water on the international boundary of the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 at 48°29.607' N and 124°43.635' W, then northwesterly to a point in water at 48°34.000' N and 124°54.200' W, then true west to a point in water at 48°34.000' N and 124°59.464' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement.

That portion of Subarea 121-2 inside a line drawn from a point in water on the boundary between Subareas 121-2 and 121-3 at 48°33.995' N and 125°13.000' W easterly to a point in water at 48°34.000' N and 125°06.000' W, then southeasterly to a point in water at 48°32.100 N and 125°01.759' W, then southwesterly to a point in water at 48°30.864' N and 125 04.376' W, then southeasterly to a point in water at the international boundary with the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 at 48°28.849' N and 124°59.876' W, then southwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 to a point in water at 48°24.577' N and 125°13.000' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement.

That portion of Subarea 20-1 inside a line drawn from Bonilla Point Light at 48° 35.732' N and 124°43.063' W easterly following the shoreline to a point on land near Vancouver Point at 48°35.110' N and 124°40.790' W, then southerly to a point in water at 48°31.211' N and 124°40.901' W, then easterly approximately 4 nautical miles to a point in water at 48°31.134' N and 124°34.896' W, then northerly to a point in water at 48°32.328' N and 124°34.860' W, then southeasterly to a point in water at 48° 30507' N and 124°27.480' W, then southerly to a point in water at the international boundary with the United States of America at 48°25.162' N and 124°27.480' W, then northwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America to a point in water at 48°29.607' N and 124° 43634' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement.

2. Juan de Fuca Strait

That portion of Subarea 20-4 inside a line drawn from a point in water at 48° 24.708' N and 124° 11.863' W, southeasterly to a point in water at 48° 22.632' N and 124° 4.167' W, then southerly to a point in water at the international boundary with the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 at 48° 19.209' N and 124° 5.783' W, then northwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 to a point in water at 48° 21.328' N and 124° 13.440' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement.

That portion of Subarea 20-5 inside a line drawn from a point in water on the boundary between Subareas 20-5 and 20-4 at 48° 20.789'N and 123° 55.267' W easterly to a point in water at 48° 20.465' N and 123° 46.418' W, then southeasterly to a point in water at 48° 19.295' N and 123° 42.590' W, then southerly to a point in water at the international boundary with the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 at 48° 14.732' N and 123° 42.686' W, then northwesterly following the international boundary with the United States of America/Fishing Zone 5 to a point in water at 48° 16.871' N and 123° 55.267' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement.

3. Mouth of the Fraser River

That portion of Subarea 29-3 inside a line drawn from a point in water at 49°17.519' N and 123°20.404' W easterly to a point in water located on the boundary between Subareas 28-7 and 29-3 at 49°17.400' N and 123°15.867' W, then southerly following the Subarea boundary to a point on land near Point Grey at 49°15.995' N and 123°15.860' W, then southerly following the shoreline to Point Grey at 49°15.936' N and 123°15.860' W, then southwesterly to the north side of North Arm Jetty Light at 49°15.443' N and 123°16.772' W, then southerly to the south side of North Arm Jetty Light at 49°15.437' N and 123°16.779' W, then southwesterly to a point in water located on the boundary between Subareas 29-3 and 29-10 at 49°13.258' N and 123° 17.117' W, then westerly to a point in water at 49°13.349' N and 123°20.797' W, and then northerly in a straight line back to the point of commencement.

Variation Order: 2026-RCT-305

NOTES AND REMINDERS:

Fishing closures are also in effect for recreational and commercial salmon harvesters in the Southern Gulf Islands. On May 1, monitoring began in the area surrounding the Southern Gulf Islands for Southern Resident killer whale presence by DFO's Whale Tracking Network and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program (https://www.portvancouver.com/environment/healthy-ecosystems), working closely with its local partners. 

Southern Resident killer whales were confirmed to be in the area as of June 15, 2026, triggering salmon fishing closures effective June 17, 2026, until November 30, 2026 (more information can be found in Fishery Notice FN0597).

Additionally, all fishing is prohibited (with some exceptions) from June 1 until November 30, 2026, in the Vessel Restricted Zones located in a portion of Subarea 18-4 (Pender Island) and Subareas 18-5 and 18-11 (Saturna Island) - more information can be found in Fishery Notice FN0547. 

The Southern Resident killer whale population is small and declining and is exposed to a number of anthropogenic threats, including underwater noise and disturbance from vessels. Given the imminent threats the whales are facing, additional management measures are in effect:

Beginning June 1, 2026, there is a new enhanced approach distance for Southern Resident killer whale. Vessels must stay 1,000 m away from Southern Resident killer whale 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.

Vessels must travel at no more than 10 knots (with some exceptions) from June 1, 2026, until November 30, 2026, in the Speed Restricted Zones located in portions of Area 21 and Subareas 121-1 and 121-2.

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 - FN0671
Sent July 7, 2026 at 1738

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on November 9, 2026 at 0601