Overview of 2025 management measures to support Southern Resident killer whale recovery

Release date: May 2025

Juan de Fuca Strait

Yellow areas, August 1 to October 31: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing.
Pink area, June 1 to October 31: The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program Strait of Juan de Fuca voluntary route alteration for tugs, formerly named “lateral displacement.” Inshore vessels (tugs) move further away from shore into lateral displacement zone

Green areas, June 1 to November 30: Speed Restricted Zones - Vessel speed limited to no more than 10 knots (with exceptions).
Yellow areas, July 15 to October 31: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing.
Pink area, June 1 to October 31: The ECHO Program Swiftsure Bank voluntary ship slowdown for large commercial vessels: 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. NEW IN 2025: The slowdown area has been extended by approximately five nautical miles west of the end of the traffic separation scheme.

Red areas, June 1 to November 30: Vessel Restricted Zones - No fishing or boating (with exceptions).
Green areas, June 1 to November 30: Voluntary Speed Reduction Zone – Reduce speed to 10 knots or less in Tumbo Channel when safe to do so.
Yellow areas, July 16 to November 30: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing. Specific coordinates can be found on FN0652.
Pink areas, June 1 to November 30, depending on whale presence: The ECHO Program Haro Strait and Boundary Pass voluntary ship slowdown for large commercial vessels: 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, August 1 to September 30: No recreational or commercial salmon fishing.

Orange area, in effect until May 31, 2026: 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