Question Period Note: Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW): Management Measures

Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW): Management Measures

Our government is committed to the protection and recovery of the iconic Southern Resident killer whales, and has taken significant steps to address key threats to the population.

The Government has implemented enhanced measures for 2021 for the third year in a row to stop the decline of this species through management measures to protect Chinook salmon and minimize disturbance from vessels.

We are now beginning to work with Indigenous groups and stakeholders to inform the development of the measures for 2022 to build on these past efforts.

SRKW births and deaths
Over this past summer, K21 and L47 were reported as missing and presumed dead; however, three individuals from J-pod are pregnant.

The Government of Canada is cautiously optimistic about the pregnancies and will remain focused on our long term plan to help support the protection and recovery of the Southern Resident killer whales.

• Two distinct populations of resident killer whales, known as the Northern and Southern Residents, occupy the waters off the west coast of British Columbia.
• In 2001, COSEWIC designated SRKW’s as ‘Endangered’, and Northern Resident killer whales as ‘Threatened’. Both populations are listed in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003. These two populations are acoustically, genetically and culturally distinct. SRKW’s are also listed under the US Endangered Species Act as Endangered.
• There are also two SRKWs that have been reported as missing by the Center for Whale Research (a US organization that conducts the annual census for SRKWs) and are presumed to be dead, K21 and L47. This brings the SRKW population to 73 individuals.
• J19, J36 and J37 from J pod have been reported as pregnant by US research organization SR3.
• SRKW’s have approximately a 30 per cent live birth rate and neonate mortality is approximately 43 per cent, so the Department is cautiously optimistic regarding the pregnancies.
• The approach to the 2022 management measures will be informed by a number of new peer-reviewed research papers, along with lessons learned from previous years, and engagement and consultation with Indigenous groups, stakeholders, and technical experts. A number of peer-reviewed research papers have been published this year that will inform the management measures and recovery efforts.
• The SRKW is considered to be at risk because of its small population size, low reproductive rate, and the existence of a variety of anthropogenic threats that have the potential to prevent recovery or to cause further declines.
• Principal among these anthropogenic threats are reductions in the availability of prey (Chinook salmon is the main prey item), both physical and acoustic disturbance, and environmental contamination.
• Actions on many of the recovery measures identified in the Resident killer whale recovery strategy are underway.
• In May 2018, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change determined that SRKWs are facing imminent threats to their survival and recovery.
• In April 2021, the Government announced a suite of management measures for the third year in a row.
• Fishery management measures include closures to help increase the availability of Chinook salmon and decrease vessel disturbance in key SRKW foraging (feeding) areas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Gulf Islands within SRKW critical habitat.
• Area based fishing closures for commercial and recreational salmon will be in place in a portion of Swiftsure Bank from July 16, to October 31, 2021, and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca from August 1, to October 31, 2021.
• New for 2021, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) piloted a new fishing closure protocol for the southern Gulf Islands recreational and commercial salmon fisheries, where fishery closures are triggered by the first confirmed presence of SRKWs in the area. SRKW presence was confirmed during the monitoring phased by the Port of Vancouver Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program, which initiated the closures from July 4, 2021, to October 31, 2021.
• To further reduce noise and physical disturbance from vessels in portions of SRKW foraging areas, Interim Sanctuary Zones will be in effect from June 1, to November 30, 2021.
• Vessel traffic will be prohibited in a portion of Swiftsure Bank and off North Pender and Saturna Islands as per the Interim Order enacted under the Canada Shipping Act. Some exceptions will apply for, for example, vessels involved in Indigenous fishing for food, social or ceremonial purposes, and vessels involved in emergency response.
• To address vessel disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect until May 31, 2022, in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River, and just north of Ucluelet.
• The Marine Mammal Regulations remain in effect year-round, and require maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than those described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins or 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.
• The Government is addressing the threat of contaminants by strengthening regulations and developing guidelines, increasing research and monitoring, encouraging data sharing, and expanding outreach and education initiatives.
• Canada continues to work collaboratively with the U.S. federal government and the Washington state government to share research and align management actions where possible.

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