Canada published a bulletin to describe vessel requirements for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2022, which came into force June 01, 2022. The Interim Order applies to all vessels that are navigating in, on or through specific waters in Southern British Columbia, regardless of the method of propulsion.
400 metres approach distance
These prohibitions came into effect on June 1, 2022 and will be implemented until May 31, 2023.
A vessel, or a person operating a vessel, is prohibited from approaching all killer whales within 400 metres of:
These restrictions increase the already existing 200 metre minimum approach distance from Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW), currently in place under the Marine Mammal Regulations, to a 400 metre minimum approach distance.
Interim Sanctuary Zones
These prohibitions came into effect onJune 1, 2022 and will be in place until November 30, 2022.
A vessel, or a person operating a vessel, is prohibited from navigating in two interim sanctuary zones, which includes waters:
A 20 metre transit corridor alongside the shoreline of the Pender and Saturna Island Interim Sanctuary Zones will be available to human powered navigating through these areas.
Seasonal Slowdown Areas
All vessels (including pleasure crafts) are restricted to a maximum speed of 10.0 knots over ground in two Seasonal Slowdown Areas near Swiftsure Bank. The Seasonal Slowdown Areas are in effect from June 1 2022 until November 30, 2022.
Compliance and enforcement
Operators must comply with the Interim Order made pursuant to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and any NAVWARNs broadcast and published by the CCG related to the Interim Order, aimed at regulating the navigation for the purposes of protecting the SRKW, if it applies to you.
If they do not comply with the Interim Order or with the instructions in the NAVWARNs related to the Interim Order, they could face:
Report a killer whale in distress
