e-4919 (Fisheries)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) understands the importance of the fishery resource to all who depend on it for their sustenance, livelihood, and recreation. DFO knows that the recreational fishery plays a key role for coastal communities like Port Renfrew.

The Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population is listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). The SRKW is considered 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 cause further declines to their population, including reduced prey availability and accessibility (primarily Chinook salmon), acoustic and physical disturbance caused by vessels, and high levels of contaminants. In 2018, it was determined that SRKW are facing imminent threats to their survival and recovery and enhanced measures are necessary to support the population’s recovery. This led to DFO, Transport Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada working together collaboratively to implement annual management measures including fishing closures, speed restricted zones, interim sanctuary zones (i.e., no go zones), and increased avoidance or approach distances for vessels. Further voluntary measures are in place such as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) program’s large commercial vessel measures, including the slowdown in Swiftsure bank and lateral displacement of vessels in the strait of Juan de Fuca. Canada also continues to address the threat of contaminants by strengthening regulations and enforcing them, developing guidelines, and increasing research and monitoring.

Canada recently concluded the consultation period on the proposed management measures for 2024 and 2025 in support of SRKW recovery, seeking feedback from First Nations, Indigenous organizations, local communities, industry groups, stakeholders, and the public. This feedback, including that received from members of Port Renfrew’s sport fishing community, is a critical component in the development of the 2024 management measures to protect (SRKW), which are now in the process of being implemented. The measures focus on the main threats that SKRW face and were informed by new and historic information, the best available science, lessons learned from previous years, and feedback received through consultation. Canada is continuing commercial and recreational salmon fishing closures in key SRKW foraging areas, including around Swiftsure bank and near Port Renfrew (portions of subareas 20-1, 21-0, 121-1 and 121-2; the same as in 2023) to prioritize protection of the endangered SRKW population while minimizing socioeconomic impacts to harvesters and coastal communities where possible.

Since 2018, DFO has implemented fishing closures in key foraging areas within SRKW critical habitat to support abundance of and access to SRKW prey (primarily Chinook salmon). These closures aim to reduce prey competition and physical and acoustic disturbances from fishing activities in key locations that are important to SRKW foraging during critical times of the year. Chinook salmon is a key prey species for SRKW year round and the predominant prey from May to August. These measures are in alignment with recovery measure 10 of the SARA action plan for Northern and SRKW. While several Southern British Columbia origin chinook stocks are either stable or increasing relative to earlier periods, many chinook stocks continue to face significant threats.

The development of these measures have been informed by peer-reviewed scientific information and discussed with experts, First Nations and stakeholders.

Indigenous groups and stakeholders such as fish harvesters, whale watching operators, recreational boaters and environmental organizations have provided feedback about the potential impacts and benefits of SRKW management measures through the consultation process. Socio-economic impacts are one of the evaluation criteria against which management measure options are assessed, and feedback is carefully considered in decision making. The Government of Canada assesses all feedback received across six evaluation criteria (likelihood of benefit to SRKW; scientific justification and supported by Indigenous or local knowledge; Indigenous rights; socio-economic impacts; ease of implementation; and monitoring and enforcement) to inform recommendations for the ministers of Transport Canada’s and DFO’s decision for the management measures to support SRKW recovery.

The Government of Canada is in the process of developing the next SRKW accountability framework report and will be seeking further input on its development. This is a tool to help track, assess and monitor how the Government of Canada and its partners are doing in their support of SRKW recovery, focusing on assessing and understanding the contribution of the management measures to support the population’s recovery. The Accountability Framework identifies priority action categories which include: 1) monitoring and understanding the SRKW population, 2) reducing principal threats, and 3) activating support for recovery. The accountability framework is intended to complement the SARA legislated recovery documents. This includes assessing efforts towards contributing to recovery goals and objectives, and building on the progress reports for the implementation of the SARA recovery strategy and action plan.