Southern Resident Killer Whale Protections

Summary#

The Department of Transport published several notices on June 6, 2026 that affect marine activity in British Columbia and some pilotage zones across Canada. The main items:

• an interim order to protect the Southern Resident killer whale, with approach, area and speed limits;
• a temporary exclusion zone in False Creek (Vancouver);
• changes to compulsory pilotage rules in several pilotage areas; and
• administrative property updates for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

What it does#

• Interim Order for the Protection of the Southern Resident killer whale (Orcinus orca), 2026
  • Bans vessels and people from approaching within 1 000 m of any Southern Resident killer whale in the waters listed in the order (Schedule 1).
  • Establishes vessel "restricted zones" where navigation is not allowed on or before November 30, 2026, with limited exceptions (island access, some Indigenous fishing, vessels in distress, etc.).
  • Sets speed limits of 10 knots over ground in certain areas (Schedule 3) until November 30, 2026.
  • Comes into force on June 1, 2026.
• Interim Order Respecting the False Creek Exclusion Zone
  • Prohibits pleasure craft and vessels carrying passengers from navigating, anchoring, mooring or berthing in False Creek east of the Cambie Bridge, with specific exceptions for mooring agreements, emergency situations, some Indigenous rights and a few regularly scheduled services.
  • Names various enforcement officers (for example, Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and gives them powers to stop, board and direct vessels.
  • Comes into effect on June 1, 2026 and is repealed on July 8, 2026.
• Pilotage Act Interim Orders
  • Area 2 (Pacific Pilotage Authority): extends a compulsory pilotage area and limits compulsory pilotage in that area to laden crude oil tankers of 40,000 summer deadweight tonnes or more; notices about movements must say what cargo is on board.
  • Belledune compulsory pilotage area: defines a local two‑nautical‑mile compulsory pilotage radius and allows a familiarization program (within 2 years) instead of extra sea‑time for pilotage certification.
  • Sheet Harbour compulsory pilotage area: defines the area and says ships 170 m or longer, tankers and LNG carriers are subject to compulsory pilotage; similar familiarization option for certification.
  • These orders replace earlier interim orders for the same areas.
• Supplementary letters patent for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
  • Updates Schedule C of the port’s letters patent to record new licences, a statutory right of way, a leasehold (including a portion of the 25th floor at 1066 West Hastings Street), and the consolidation of several properties (including additions and removals of listed parcel IDs).
  • Lists small area figures such as 23.75 ft2 and 200.2 m2 for particular rights and easements.
  • Took effect on issuance (issued May 25, 2026).

Who's affected#

• Recreational boaters, kayak and human‑powered craft operating in the Strait of Georgia, around Pender Island and Saturna Island, False Creek and other listed waters.
• Operators of passenger vessels, tour boats and ferries that use False Creek or the other listed coastal areas.
• Commercial shipping companies, especially operators of crude oil tankers (40,000 dwt and up) and large ships (including those 170 m+).
• Marine pilots and the Pacific Pilotage Authority and Atlantic Pilotage Authority (because of changed compulsory pilotage rules and certification options).
• Port users and tenants of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and nearby landowners where property titles were consolidated or rights granted.
• Indigenous peoples exercising rights related to fishing and certain other activities — the orders include specific exceptions for those activities.
• Enforcement agencies listed in the notices (for example, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, marine safety inspectors, fishery officers).

Why it matters#

• The whale order and speed/area limits are aimed at reducing noise, disturbance and collision risk to the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. That can change where and how vessels operate along much of southern Vancouver Island and the Strait of Georgia until at least November 30, 2026.
• The False Creek exclusion quickly changes what pleasure craft and passenger vessels can do in a busy urban waterway for a limited period (June 1, 2026 to July 8, 2026). That matters for marinas, water taxis, events and recreational users.
• Pilotage changes change who must take a pilot and how pilot qualifications can be met. That affects shipping safety practices and scheduling for ports like Belledune and Sheet Harbour and for crude‑oil tanker traffic in the Pacific region.
• The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority update is largely administrative, but it records new leases and rights that can affect local land use, access and the port’s property records.