Interim Order to Protect Killer Whales

Summary#

This is the Interim Order for the Protection of the Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) in the Waters of Southern British Columbia, 2025. It puts temporary rules in place in southern B.C. coastal waters — from approach distances to exclusion and speed zones — aimed at reducing disturbance to killer whales. The order came into force on June 1, 2025 and includes measures that apply through November 30, 2025 for some zones.

What it does#

• Sets a mandatory approach distance of 400 m from killer whales in the waters listed in Schedule 1 (with limited exceptions for safety, vessels in distress, and some authorized people or activities).
• Prohibits vessels from positioning themselves in the path of a killer whale in the same area.
• Creates vessel-restricted zones in the waters listed in Schedule 2 (including areas off Pender Island and Saturna Island) where vessels generally may not navigate on or before November 30, 2025, with exceptions for:
  • Access to residences or services on those islands when water travel is the only practical way.
  • Human-powered vessels navigating within 20 m of the shoreline (in specified parts of Schedule 2).
  • Certain Indigenous fishing activities and other authorized operations.
• Imposes a speed limit of 10 knots over ground in the waters listed in Schedule 3 on or before November 30, 2025 (does not apply to non-motorized vessels).
• Allows the Minister of Transport to issue written authorizations:
  • To commercial whale-watching or ecotourism operators to approach non‑Southern Resident killer whales no closer than 200 m, if it won’t harm the whales or marine safety.
  • To certain non‑profit, scientific, Indigenous, or government groups for non‑commercial monitoring or compliance activities, with possible conditions.
• Requires vessel operators holding an authorization to report sightings and incidents involving Southern Resident killer whales, use the WhaleReport app for observations, and display an authorization flag on the vessel.
• Repeals the previous interim order from May 30, 2024 and replaces it with this 2025 order.

Who's affected#

• Recreational and commercial boat operators in southern B.C. coastal waters listed in the order’s schedules.
• Commercial whale-watching and ecotourism businesses that may apply for or be limited by authorizations and advertising restrictions.
• Residents and service providers who rely on water access to Pender Island and Saturna Island (there are narrow exceptions for local access).
• Indigenous people and communities with recognized fishing or other rights (the order includes several specific exceptions for Indigenous fishing and rights holders).
• Scientists, non‑profits, and government groups that monitor whales and may apply for authorizations.
• The order targets protection of the Southern Resident killer whale population specifically, and also covers other killer whales in the listed waters.

Why it matters#

• The measures aim to reduce physical and acoustic disturbance to killer whales, especially the endangered Southern Resident population, by limiting how close and how fast vessels can travel in key areas.
• Boaters and tourism businesses will need to change routes, speeds, or practices in the named areas and may need permits to operate closer to whales.
• Residents of certain islands could see restricted marine routes but the order includes narrow exemptions for essential local access.
• Authorizations carry reporting and display requirements and can be suspended or revoked for non‑compliance, so operators should be prepared to follow the rules and keep records of encounters.