Government of Canada protects two new areas off British Columbia's coast for Resident Killer Whales

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, is announcing he has created two new areas of critical habitat for iconic Resident Killer Whales. These new areas build on existing critical habitat established in 2009 to protect the marine ecosystem that is necessary for the survival and recovery of the Resident Killer Whales. This announcement builds on the $167 million Whales Initiative announced in 2018 and the October 2018 investment of $61.5 million targeting key threats faced by the Southern Resident Killer Whale, including: •lack of available prey (Chinook salmon); •acoustic and physical disturbance from marine vessels; and •contaminants in the water. Specific measures already introduced to protect this endangered species include expanding vessel slowdowns, enhancing regulatory controls on contaminants and investments aimed at protecting and recovering Chinook salmon stocks. The newly identified areas of critical habitat announced today are located in the waters off the coast of southwestern Vancouver Island, including Swiftsure and La Pérouse Banks, and in western Dixon Entrance, all of which are key foraging areas for both Resident Killer Whales. These new zones will increase the area of critical habitat for endangered killer whales by approximately 6,419 square kilometers to an area of approximately 10,714 square kilometres of Canadian waters. Designating these areas as "critical habitat" ensures they are legally protected against destruction that could hinder survival or recovery of the whales.

Guest: Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, is announcing he has created two new areas of critical habitat for iconic Resident Killer Whales. These new areas build on existing critical habitat established in 2009 to protect the marine ecosystem that is necessary for the survival and recovery of the Resident Killer Whales.

This announcement builds on the $167 million Whales Initiative announced in 2018 and the October 2018 investment of $61.5 million targeting key threats faced by the Southern Resident Killer Whale, including:
•lack of available prey (Chinook salmon);
•acoustic and physical disturbance from marine vessels; and
•contaminants in the water.

Specific measures already introduced to protect this endangered species include expanding vessel slowdowns, enhancing regulatory controls on contaminants and investments aimed at protecting and recovering Chinook salmon stocks.

The newly identified areas of critical habitat announced today are located in the waters off the coast of southwestern Vancouver Island, including Swiftsure and La Pérouse Banks, and in western Dixon Entrance, all of which are key foraging areas for both Resident Killer Whales. These new zones will increase the area of critical habitat for endangered killer whales by approximately 6,419 square kilometers to an area of approximately 10,714 square kilometres of Canadian waters. Designating these areas as "critical habitat" ensures they are legally protected against destruction that could hinder survival or recovery of the whales.

Guest: Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard