2025 management measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales

Southern Resident killer whales have important cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities in British Columbia. These iconic animals face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. Protecting them requires comprehensive and immediate action.

The 3 primary threats to Southern Resident killer whales are:

• reduced prey availability and accessibility
• acoustic and physical disturbance
• contaminants

Canada has laws and regulations in place to address these threats and support the survival of this species, and there are voluntary measures that you can take as well. Effectively ensuring the protection and recovery of Southern Resident killer whales requires a long-term, collective effort. These measures reflect current science and advice from First Nations, Stakeholders, the Indigenous Multi-Nation Group, Indigenous and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group, Technical Working Groups, and from public consultations.

Regulations to support Southern Resident killer whales

You must follow Canada's laws and regulations to protect Southern Resident killer whales.

Starting May 1, the area surrounding the Southern Gulf Islands will be monitored for Southern Resident killer whale presence by DFO’s Whale Tracking Network and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Enhancing Cetacean and Observation (ECHO) Program, working closely with its local partners. Once Southern Resident killer whales are confirmed to be in the area, their presence will trigger recreational and commercial salmon fishing closures which will be in place until November 30.

Avoiding whales

Vessels must stay 400m away and may not position a vessel in the path of killer whales in southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet until May 31, 2025, as per the Interim Order enacted under the Canada Shipping Act. Vessels with a purple ‘Authorized Vessel’ (AV) flag are allowed to be closer to non-Southern Resident killer whales. Do not follow them.

The Marine Mammal Regulations remain in effect year-round. This requires staying:

• 200 metres away from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than those described above
• 200 metres away from all whales, porpoises and dolphins when in resting position or with a calf
• 100 metres away from other whales, porpoises and dolphins

Voluntary measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales

As well as following Canada’s laws and regulations, there are also voluntary measures that you can take to support the survival of Southern Resident killer whales anytime you’re on or near the water.

• 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
• If you are too close to a whale, place engine in neutral idle and allow animals to pass.
• For more information on the best ways to help whales while on the water, on both sides of the border, please visit: bewhalewise.org

Fishers are also asked to voluntarily stop fishing (do not haul gear) within 1000m of killer whales in all Canadian Pacific waters as a best practice in the presence of killer whales to reduce competition for their food and to minimize disturbing the animals.

Stay up-to-date on the Government of Canada’s actions to protect Southern Resident killer whales by signing up to receive Parks Canada’s e-bulletin

Contaminants

The Government of Canada continues to address the threat of contaminants by strengthening regulations and enforcing them, developing guidelines, and increasing research and monitoring. We are now better able to understand the source and quantity of contaminants affecting Southern Resident killer whale and their prey, and to focus our prevention efforts in consequence. As part of our effort to share information and data, the Pollutants Affecting Whales and their Prey Inventory Tool (PAWPIT), an interactive pollutant mapping tool, is available. The tool shows estimates of pollutant releases by all identified sources within a spatial extent that includes the habitats of Northern and Southern Resident killer whales and freshwater areas important for Chinook salmon. The tool also displays estimated ambient contaminant loads in the Fraser River Basin, indicates where environmental quality guidelines were exceeded, and provides the locations of un-remediated contaminated sites.

Related links

• Watching marine wildlife
• Parks Canada: Southern Resident killer whale outreach
• Reducing the threat of contaminants to Southern Resident killer whales
• Reports, publications and videos related to the protection of Southern Resident killer whales
• Poster: Know before you go — Vessel flags
• Managing marine mammals in Canada’s Pacific region - an integrative management framework
• Government of Canada’s approach to addressing the imminent threats to Killer Whale, Northeast Pacific southern resident population