Overview of 2024 management measures to support Southern Resident killer whale recovery

Release date: May 2024

Juan de Fuca Strait

Yellow areas, August 1 to Oct 31: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing.
Pink area, Jun 1 to Oct 31: The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program Juan de Fuca Strait voluntary inshore lateral displacement. Inshore vessels (tugs) move further away from shore into lateral displacement zone

Green areas, Jun 1 to Nov 30: Speed Restricted Zones - Vessel speed limited to no more than 10 knots (with exceptions).
Yellow areas, July 15 to Oct 31: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing.
Pink area, Jun 1 to Oct 31: The ECHO Program voluntary slowdown for inbound and outbound large commercial vessels in Swiftsure Bank: 11 knots or less through the water for bulkers, tankers and government vessels or 14.5 knots or less through the water for container vessels, vehicle carriers, cruise ships

Red areas, Jun 1 to Nov 30: Interim Sanctuary Zones - No fishing or boating (with exceptions).
Blue areas, Jun 1 to Nov 30: Voluntary Speed Reduction Zone – Reduce speed to 10 knots or less in Tumbo Channel when safe to do so.
Yellow areas, May 8 until Nov 30: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing. Specific coordinates can be found on FN0425.
Pink areas, June 1 to Nov 30, depending on whale presence: The ECHO Program Haro Strait and Boundary Pass voluntary vessel slowdown: Large commercial vessel slowdown: 11 knots or less through the water for bulkers, tankers and general cargo or 14.5 knots through the water for container vessels, vehicle carriers and cruise ships

Yellow area, Aug 1 to Sept 30: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing.

Orange area, in effect until May 31, 2025: Stay 400m away (with some exceptions) and do not position a vessel in the path of killer whales in all southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet.

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; and
- 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