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.

On April 14, 2021, the Government announced a suite of management measures to be implemented 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, effective on June 1, 2021, to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales from vessel disturbance. 2021 Southern Resident Killer Whale management measures under the Canada Shipping Act (Interim Order) includes vessel management measures in certain areas in the Gulf Islands and Strait of Juan de Fuca, including Interim Sanctuary Zones located at Swiftsure Bank, off the east coast of Saturna Island, and south-west of North Pender Island - Effective June 1, 2021 to November 30, 2021.  

Vessels are prohibited from entering areas designated as Interim Sanctuary Zones. These zones are located at Swiftsure Bank, 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. Swiftsure Bank [Swiftsure Bank Interim Sanctuary Zone]
That portion of Subareas 121-1 and 121-2 inside a line commencing at a point in water located at 48°34.000'N and 125°06.000'W [Northwest Boundary] due east to a point in water located at 48°34.000'N and 124°54.200'W [Northeast Boundary], thence southeasterly to a point in water at 48°32.100'N and 124°49.583'W [Southeast Boundary], thence due west to point in water located at 48°32.100'N and 125°01.760'W [Southwest Boundary], and thence northwesterly back to the point of commencement. 

3. 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 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 Interim Order also prohibits all vessels from approaching any killer whale within a 400-metre distance (with some exceptions). This prohibition applies in all southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. For more information on the Interim Order, please visit: 

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/interim-order-protection-killer-whales-waters-southern-british-columbia.html

Variation Orders: 2021-RCT-301 and 2021-302 


The Southern Resident Killer Whale population is small and declining, with only 75 remaining, 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 marine mammal; 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

As per the Government of Canada announcement on April 14, 2021, additional fisheries management measures will come into force in Swiftsure Bank on July 16, 2021, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca on August 1, 2021, that apply to commercial and recreational salmon fishing activities in certain Subareas. Additionally, starting June 1st, a new closure protocol is in effect for the southern Gulf Islands commercial and recreational salmon fisheries, whereby fishery closures are triggered by the first confirmed presence of Southern Resident Killer Whales in the area. A separate Variation Order and Fishery Notice will be provided in advance of the effective dates. 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 - FN0519
Sent May 31, 2021 at 1032

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Printed from the Pacific Region web site on April 19, 2024 at 1811