Government of Canada announces stronger protections for Southern Resident killer whales in 2026

VANCOUVER, BC, April 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Protecting and conserving Canada's oceans is a top priority for the Government of Canada. As keystone species, Southern Resident killer whales play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of our marine ecosystem. As the Southern Resident killer whale population remains threatened due to physical and acoustic disturbances from vessels, prey availability and environmental pollutants, the federal government is expanding on management measures to protect these whales and to support the recovery of this endangered species.

Today, the Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the Honourable Steven Mackinnon, announced vessel management measures to support the recovery of Southern Resident killer whales, including an increased approach distance from the previous 400 metres to 1,000 metres. This measure will help increase protection, simplify regulations for Canadians, and align with existing measures in Washington State.

The 2026 vessel management measures include: 

• New mandatory requirement to not approach within 1,000 metres of Southern Resident killer whales, to go in effect on June 1, 2026 until May 31, 2027. The approach distance for other killer whales will be 200 metres, as per the Marine Mammal Regulations.
• Two mandatory 10-knot Speed Restricted Zones at Swiftsure Bank, effective June 1 to November 30, 2026.
• Two mandatory Vessel Restricted Zones off Pender and Saturna Islands, effective June 1 to November 30, 2026.
• A voluntary speed reduction zone at Tumbo Channel, off the North side of Saturna Island, effective June 1 to November 30, 2026.

For all other killer whale populations (Transient or Bigg's, Offshore, and Northern Resident), all vessels are required to maintain a 200-metre approach distance, as per the Marine Mammal Regulations. Whale watching and eco-tourism companies are no longer required to obtain a Whale Watching Authorization, but they are encouraged to follow voluntary best practices when viewing other whales.

For the tenth year in a row, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority-led Enhancing Cetacean and Habitat Observation (ECHO) Program will coordinate threat reduction measures off B.C.'s coast for commercial vessels transiting to and from the port to support the recovery of endangered Southern Resident killer whales. New this year, the program is trialing an additional month of voluntary vessel slowdowns in Haro Strait and Boundary Pass in March, which has been identified as a period of increased SRKW presence.

This one-month expansion is in addition to the ECHO Program's seasonal vessel slowdowns in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass and Swiftsure Bank and its route alteration in the Strait of Juan de Fuca between June and November. Each year, over 70 marine transportation organizations voluntarily participate, and since 2017, over 33,000 vessels have slowed down within or moved away from key areas of Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat.

To support the enforcement of the mandatory vessel measures and protection efforts for Southern Resident killer whales, Transport Canada will maintain its ongoing partnership activities with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, Parks Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, US Coast Guard, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Indigenous communities, and local stakeholders. Transport Canada will continue to work with partners to advance the development of national marine regulations for a sustainable and lasting environmental stewardship.

To address the threat of contaminants to endangered whales, Environment and Climate Change Canada will continue to develop and administer measures under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.

Quotes

"Southern Resident killer whales continue to face real pressures in our waters, and it's important that we take practical steps to address them. The measures announced today provide clear direction and reinforce a consistent, responsible approach on the water. They will help support the long-term recovery of this species while maintaining a balanced approach that also supports Canada's economic growth."

The Honourable Steven Mackinnon
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

"Protecting Southern Resident killer whales means taking decisive action to reduce the pressures they face in our shared waters. By strengthening measures to safeguard them, we are increasing protection and supporting the long-term recovery of this iconic species."

The Honourable Joanne Thompson
Minister of Fisheries

"The Government of Canada's work on harmful chemicals addresses pollutants that can affect wildlife. These efforts can help reestablish safer environments and protect wildlife including the Southern Resident killer whales."

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

Quick facts

• In May 2024, the Government of Canada renewed A Species at Risk Act Section 11 Conservation Agreement to Support the Recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and industry partners for five years. This formalizes the role of the ECHO Program and partners in developing and implementing voluntary threat reduction measures to support the endangered Southern Resident killer whales. In 2025, the cumulative voluntary participation rate in the ECHO Program's initiatives was over 85%.
• Since 2019, the TC Whale Enforcement Unit has issued nearly 1,300 Whale Protection Advisories, over 1140 Warning Letters, and over 190 Administrative Monetary Penalties totaling over $258,000 in penalties.
• The 1,000-metre approach distance reflect proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations. The amendments are available for public comment in Canada Gazette, Part 1, until April 21, 2026

Related Products

• Backgrounder: 2026 Measures
• Map: Government of Canada management measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales
• Canada Gazette, Part I: Regulations Amending the Marine Mammal Regulations

Associated Links

• Suite of Southern Resident killer whale management measures
• Government of Canada's approach to addressing the imminent threats to Killer Whale, Northeast Pacific southern resident population – Canada.ca
• Pollutants Affecting Whales and their Prey Inventory Tool
• Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025
• Reducing the threat of contaminants to Southern Resident killer whales
• Watching marine wildlife

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SOURCE Transport Canada - Ottawa

Contacts: Marie-Justine Torres, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Ottawa, [email protected], 613-327-5918; Media relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613-993-0055 [email protected]