Bulletins

Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered. They struggle to find enough food to eat and are vulnerable to contaminants. Noise and disruption from boats interfere with their hunt for prey.

When you are boating or paddling around Pacific Rim National Park Reserve you may encounter Southern Resident Killer Whales. Take the actions below to protect the killer whales. Your participation is essential.

Stay 400 metres away from all killer whales in all southern BC coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet, including Barkley and Howe Sound. It’s the law. This includes waters around Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. See map here.

Do not enter Interim Sanctuary Zones from June 1 to November 30 :

o No fishing or boating in the Interim Sanctuary Zone at Swiftsure Bank.

No recreational or commercial salmon fishing in portions of Southern Resident Killer Whale key foraging areas:

o Closures will be in place in a portion of Swiftsure Bank from July 16 to October 31, 2021, and;

o In the Strait of Juan de Fuca from August 1 to October 31, 2021.

o These actions will help protect the whales’ access to Chinook salmon with minimal disturbance in key foraging areas.

Additional ways you can help:

o If a killer whale appears near you, turn your engine to neutral and let the whale pass.

o Stop fishing (do not haul gear) when within 1000 metres of killer whales

o Go Slow! Reduce your speed to less than 7 knots when you’re within 1000 metres of the nearest marine mammal

o Turn off echo sounders and fish finders when safe to do so

Be Whale Wise

o For more information on the best ways to help whales while on the water, please visit bewhalewise.org.

Additional resources:

o 2021 management measures to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales.

o Boating around Killer Whales in BC – Give them space (video)

o Boating around Killer Whales in BC – Interim Sanctuary Zones (video)

o Boating around Killer Whales in BC – Fishery measures for Southern Resident Killer Whales (video)

o Boating Around Killer Whales (poster)

When you are in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, please call Parks Canada Emergency Dispatch (1-877-852-3100) to report any violations or incidents involving marine mammals to Park Wardens or the appropriate Parks Canada team member.

Otherwise, please report any violations or incidents involving marine mammals (that you overserved or were involved in) to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s 24/7 Observe, Record, Report Line: 1-800-465-4336

If you are unable to reach the Observe, Record, Report Line, you can call Canadian Coast Guard’s Marine Mammal Desk at 1-833-339-1020.