How Should Boats Behave Around Southern Resident Killer Whales in 2025?

Official title: Potential 2025 general vessel management measures to address key threats to Southern Resident Killer Whales

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Natural Resources Transportation

The government asked for feedback on rules to protect the endangered Southern Resident killer whales off BC's coast. These 75 remaining orcas face threats from boat noise, lack of salmon, and pollution. The consultation focused on vessel speed limits, no-go zones, and how close boats can approach.

Why This Matters

Love whale watching? These rules affect where and how you can boat in BC's southern waters. Fishers face salmon closures in key areas from July to November. Even recreational boaters must stay 400 metres away from orcas. These whales are culturally significant to Indigenous Peoples and a major draw for coastal tourism.

What Could Change

Vessel restricted zones are now in effect near Pender and Saturna Islands from June to November. Speed limits of 10 knots apply around Swiftsure Bank. The government is also proposing to increase the approach distance from 400 metres to 1,000 metres through permanent regulation changes.

Key Issues

Should vessel approach distances increase from 400m to 1,000m?
Are the seasonal fishing closures in key feeding areas appropriate?
Should speed restrictions around Swiftsure Bank be expanded?
How can vessel noise disturbance be further reduced?

How to Participate

Review the What We Heard report summarizing feedback from previous consultations.
This consultation is now closed. The feedback period ended February 26, 2025.

What Happened

The consultation gathered feedback on vessel management measures. A What We Heard report was published in 2025 summarizing input on proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations, including increasing approach distances to 1,000 metres.