The Canadian government has announced sweeping new rules to protect southern resident killer whales off the coast of British Columbia, reports the Globalnews.ca.
What is the new rule?
The new rule keep ships 400 metres away from the animals and closing some salmon fisheries.
This new rule is announced aiming to protect southern resident killer whales off the coast of British Columbia by the Government of Canada.
Recovery measures taken
Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced the latest set of recovery measures for the endangered southern residents, which include 75 facing serious threats.
In a news conference, he briefed about how the team is working meticulously to address the decline and recovery of the population of the southern resident killer whale population.
He also added that these measures reflect the commitment to recover the whales in a manner that takes into account important economic factors and collaboration with First Nations and coastal communities.
Ship distance from whales doubled
Starting from June, the minimum distance that the ships should keep from the Whales will double to 400 metres.
On the other hand, commercial whale-watchers can view whales from 200 metres away after getting proper authorization.
Wilkinson said that agreements have been signed by commercial whale watching companies, like the Pacific Whale Watch Association, with the government so that tourists can watch the whales hassle-free.
Vessel traffic will not be allowed at all in the “interim sanctuary zones,” at Swiftsure Bank, off southwestern Vancouver Island, and near Pender and Saturna islands, two Gulf Islands.
Echo sounders to be turned off
The department is urging the ships to turn off the echo sounders voluntarily when not in use, and halt engines within 400 metres of killer whales.
In some locations, the ships are supposed to go slow when they’re within one kilometre of southern residents.
Restrictions on Salmon and Chinook fishing
The recreational and commercial fishing of Salmon in parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Gulf Islands, will also be stopped following the previously announced restrictions on chinook fishing, which will extend upto October 31.
A voluntary “fishery avoidance zone” will cover part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Gulf Islands, as well as the mouth of the Fraser River. Commercial harvesters can suspend fishing activity within one kilometre of a killer whale, in these zones.
Initiatives to support whale habitat
A number of initiatives, programs and investments are being implemented by the department to support habitat protection and restoration of chinook salmon, the primary prey of southern resident killer whales.
They have succeeded in increasing one million juvenile chinook at a Chilliwack, B.C., hatchery, resulting in 35,000 additional adults, which puts a 35 % increase in total abundance of fall chinook in the Fraser River.
Slowdown of Commercial vessels
A trial program is also launched by Transport Canada for a voluntary slowdown for commercial vessels through Harrow Strait and Boundary Pass, through thy months of June to September.
This will be monitored and extended by the government based on whale presence up until October 31.
Appointment of fishery officers
The Department of Fisheries said it’s enforcement capacity is maximised and strengthened. There will be officers solely dedicated to verify compliance with the new fisheries management measures and the 400-metre minimum approach distance.
Measures to create awareness by the Government
Transport Canada will conduct aerial surveillance while Parks Canada and Canadian Coast Guard will also support compliance efforts.
The government said it’s taking measures to create awareness of the new rules and guidelines by collaborating with Washington state, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other partners.
The department said it consulted with a number of Indigenous groups, environmental organizations, commercial and recreational harvesters, shippers, other levels of government, Washington state and others.
Government funds to protect Southern Resident Whales
The Liberal government announced the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan in 2017, shortly before announcing the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. This would increase tanker traffic seven-fold in Burrard Inlet in Metro Vancouver.
The government has also launched a $167-million Whales Initiative and an investment of $61.5 last to address threats to the southern residents.
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Source: Globalnews
