Map overview of 2023 management measures to support Southern Resident killer whale recovery
Release date: April 2023

Juan de Fuca Strait
- Yellow areas, until Oct 31: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing. Closure start date to be communicated in June
Swiftsure Bank
- Green areas, Jun 1 to Nov 30: Speed Restricted Zones - Vessel speed limited to no more than 10 knots (with exceptions)
- Yellow areas, until Oct 31: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing. Closure start date to be communicated in June
Gulf Islands
- Red areas, Jun 1 to Nov 30: Interim Sanctuary Zones - No fishing or boating (with exceptions)
- Yellow areas, Jun 3 to Nov 30: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing. Specific coordinates can be found in FN0514
Mouth of the Fraser River
- Yellow area, Aug 1 to Sept 30: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing
All Southern BC waters
- Orange area, in effect until May 31, 2024: Stay 400m away from killer whales (with some exceptions) in all southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet
Canadian Pacific waters (year round)
- Stay 200m away from all killer whales, except when in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet, where you must stay 400m away from all killer whales
- Stay 200m away from all whales, dolphins and porpoises when in resting position or with a calf
- Stay 100m away from all other whales, dolphins and porpoises
- Voluntary measures:
- Voluntary fishing avoidance zone: Stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1000m of killer whales
- Reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within 1000m of the nearest killer whale
- When safe to do so, turn off echo sounders and fish finders when not in use
- If you are too close to a whale (i.e. if your vessel is not in compliance with the approach distance regulations), place engine in neutral idle and allow animals to pass
Related links
- Management measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales
- Map of management measures in the Mouth of the Fraser River
- Map of management measures in the Gulf Islands
- Map of management measures in the Juan de Fuca
- Map of management measures in Swiftsure Bank
- Date modified: