DFO Announces Confusing Additional Restrictions for 2023 to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales

Today the Federal Ministers of Transport, Fisheries, Environment and Parks jointly announced 2023 measures for the protection of Southern Resident Killer Whales in addition to those regulations already in place from 2022, “The government of Canada continues to take strong action to protect and restore their population.”

Notable Measures

• 10 knot speed restrictions near Port Renfrew effective June 1 to November 30, 2023
• New no-fishing regulation in area 21-0 (from Trestle Creek to Carmanah Pt.) from, “The expiry of Chinook-non-retention until October 31.”

2023-Map of management measures in Swiftsure Bank to support Southern Resident killer whale recovery

• Extension of existing fishing regulations in the Lower Gulf Islands from the first sighting of SRKWs until November 30, 2023.
• Fishing regulations to protect SRKWs remain the same off the mouth of the Fraser River, Juan de Fuca Strait, and the lower Gulf Islands except for the time extension to November 30, 2023.
• The Interim Sanctuary Zones at Pender and Saturna Islands remain in 2023, and the 400-meter approach distance regulation applies for all killer whales including in Howe and Barkley Sounds.
• A new consultation process between the government and the shipping interests will be in place to consider adjustments to approach distance rules.

For more detailed information see the SRKW area maps with regulation explanations.