DD Animal News: 22 June, 2025: On June 17, 2025, Canada unveiled sweeping measures aimed at bolstering conservation efforts for the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales—orcas—off the coast of British Columbia. Emerging from collaborative efforts across federal agencies—Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada—these initiatives take effect this summer and carry through to mid-2026. Their goal? To reduce human-driven stressors that imperil this iconic pod.
Boats Off Limits: Mandatory Zones, Speed Limits, and Whale-Watching Curbs
The core of Canada’s new marine rules centers on vessel activity. All boats—from private yachts to salmon fishers—must now steer clear of Southern Resident orcas by at least 400 meters, in coastal waters from Campbell River down to Ucluelet, including Barkley and Howe Sound. These mandatory regulations, currently extended through May 31, 2026, also include:
- Two speed‑restricted zones near Swiftsure Bank and two exclusion zones around Pender and Saturna Islands (effective June 1–Nov 30, 2025)
- A voluntary slowdown zone near Tumbo Channel off Saturna Island, advising boats to stay under seven knots when within one kilometre of whales
- Sailors approaching within 1,000 meters are now asked to neutralize engines and silence echo-sounders when safe to let whales pass
- Whale-watching operators with federal authorization are still barred from chasing Southern Residents; they may still watch non‑SRKW pods at reduced distances of 200 meters
Fish & Pollution: Shields Around Habitat and Salmon Runs
Understanding that orcas depend heavily on Chinook salmon, Ottawa has extended commercial and recreational salmon fishery closures in prime SRKW feeding grounds—including Strait of Juan de Fuca, Swiftsure Bank, Gulf Islands, and near the Fraser River mouth—later into 2025 and 2026. These closures aim to bolster salmon availability during critical foraging periods.
On contaminants, Canada continues efforts under its Oceans Protection Plan and Chemicals Management Plan: tightening toxic discharge rules—especially scrubber washwater bans—and launching pollutant‑mapping tools (like PAWPIT) to track water, air, sediment, and wastewater chemistry in whale habitats.
Regulations Today, Stronger Rules Tomorrow: A Two‑Stage Recovery Plan
Beyond the 2025 regulations, Canada is laying groundwork for even tougher protection. In 2025, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will consult with First Nations, Wildlife Boards, and stakeholders on drafting amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations under the Fisheries Act, seeking to increase the required approach distance from Southern Residents to a full 1,000 meters.
These consultations will also explore extended salmon closures, the phased prohibition of vessel scrubber discharge in critical habitat, and the imposition of interim underwater noise benchmarks to help reduce acoustic disruption.
A Conservation Win with Yet Stronger Waves Ahead
Canada’s June 2025 lineup of measures is promising and overdue. Enforcing 400-meter buffers, throttled-speeds, and fishery restrictions are sensible first lines of defense. Even more encouraging is the government’s willingness to publicly discuss boosting protections to a 1,000‑metre buffer and to take on pollution challenges.
But the orcas’ plight is not solved. With fewer than 80 Southern Residents remaining in Canadian waters, their food supply is pinch-point critical—and restoring Chinook runs is a decades-long challenge. Likewise, underwater noise pollution remains pervasive, from shipping lanes to offshore industries.
Canada’s new steps are welcome—but let’s be clear: this is an early move in what must be a sustained, multifaceted strategy. Without persistent action—accelerated salmon recovery, tight anti-pollution enforcement, real-time monitoring, and full vessel restrictions—the orcas may remain precariously close to the brink. For a creature whose survival hinges on patience, precision, and perseverance, our response must be nothing less.
By weaving together spatial protections, pollution curbs, salmon conservation, and future regulation, Canada is forging a pathway toward real recovery for its Southern Resident orcas. The next challenge? Ensuring these currents of change don’t slacken, and that the voices of science, Indigenous communities, and conservation stand strong in the long haul.
Gargi from India has a Masters in History, and a Bachelor of Education. An animal lover, she is keen on crafting stories and creating content while pursuing a career in education.
