SRKW stakeholder consultations
Petitioners ask the Minister to convene stakeholders, finish consultations and adopt science-based measures to recover Southern Resident Killer Whales while sustaining recreational fishing. The government responds it will review science and announce 2026 measures.
Why we would sign this petition
- Ensures recreational fishers have a seat at the table so policies consider those who rely on fisheries for food and livelihoods.
- By insisting on science-based measures and completed consultations, it aims to balance SRKW recovery with sustaining coastal recreational fishing economies.
- Completing consultations and stakeholder collaboration may reduce one-sided decisions and produce more durable, predictable management that eases consultation fatigue.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Insisting on further consultations could delay urgent recovery actions if whales face imminent threats requiring swift measures.
- Prioritizing protections for recreational fisheries risks weakening conservation measures if it limits effective steps to increase Chinook availability or reduce vessel disturbance.
- Focusing on pinniped predation and opposing closures may divert attention and resources from other documented threats like vessel noise and contaminants.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE Minister of Fisheries and Oceans WHEREAS Consecutive years of Chinook harvest reductions have had significant negative impacts on local fishing and coastal economies; Consecutive years of Chinook harvest reductions have not achieved the intended outcome of increasing the Southern Resident Killer Whale population; New proposals for expanded closures and Chinook restrictions unfairly target recreational fishers while failing to address factors like pinniped predation within an ecosystem approach to fisheries management; Food security is being overlooked as many anglers depend on public fisheries to feed their families; Anglers are experiencing consultation fatigue after years of providing input in processes that have resulted in one-sided decisions that hurt them; The Government of Canada must ensure policies are balanced and based on science; WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, Members of BC Recreational Fishing Association, CALL UPON THE Minister of Fisheries and Oceans TO: Urgently bring together all relevant stakeholders, including recreational fishers, to complete consultations and establish effective, science-driven actions that support recovery and sustainability for Southern Resident Killer Whales in British Columbia's waters while also sustaining the multimillion-dollar recreational fishing industry that coastal communities depend on.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Fisheries Signed by Ernie Klassen Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recognizes the importance of fisheries to those who rely on them for food, livelihood, and recreation. Recreational fishing is vital for coastal communities. Our priorities focus on sustainable fisheries management and collaboration with fishers, coastal communities, and Indigenous groups to support prosperity. We also work to protect Canada’s oceans from harmful impacts and uphold key legislation, including the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) are listed as endangered SARA due to their small population, low birth rate, and human-caused threats. The main threats are lack of prey (especially Chinook salmon), vessel noise and disturbance, and high contaminant levels. In 2018, SRKW were found to face imminent risk, requiring stronger recovery actions. Since then, DFO, Transport Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Parks Canada have worked together to reduce these threats through measures such as fishing closures, speed limits, vessel exclusion zones, increased approach distances, and voluntary actions. Canada also addresses marine contaminants through stricter regulations, guidelines, and ongoing research. As part of this effort, DFO monitors underwater noise in the Salish Sea in collaboration with Transport Canada and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. The Port Authority’s Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program leads several underwater noise-reduction initiatives, including voluntary vessel slowdowns, route adjustments, and lateral displacement of large commercial vessels in areas such as Swiftsure Bank and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In 2024, the Government of Canada confirmed that SRKW still face imminent threats. On March 6, 2025, the government announced it would not issue an emergency order under the SARA. Instead, it proposed additional actions to strengthen existing measures, including: Increasing approach distance to 1,000 metres for SRKW under the Marine Mammal Regulations Setting interim underwater noise objectives in SRKW critical habitat Adjusting commercial and recreational salmon fishing closures for 2025/2026 to protect key foraging areas Introducing rolling Chinook salmon closures under the Fisheries Act Phasing out discharge of scrubber washwater in SRKW habitat under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 Since 2018, DFO has closed key foraging areas in SRKW critical habitat to ensure access to their main prey, Chinook salmon, and reduce competition and disturbance from fishing. Chinook is essential year-round and especially important from May to August. For 2026, DFO is considering changes to these closures based on science, past experience, and feedback from Indigenous groups and stakeholders. Proposed adjustments include shifting spring non-retention measures into partial closures for recreational and commercial Chinook fisheries. The goal is to protect Chinook stocks most important to SRKW, expand coverage, and improve prey availability. These measures also aim to reduce vessel disturbance, address concerns about non-retention impacts, and align with Recovery Measure 10 under the SARA plan. While some southern B.C. Chinook stocks are stable or improving, many, including those critical to SRKW remain at risk. DFO held formal consultations on proposed 2026 prey management measures from September 17 to October 31, 2025. Input was sought from First Nations, Indigenous organizations, local communities, industry groups, and stakeholders through advisory and technical meetings, bilateral sessions, and written submissions. We appreciate the sport fishing community’s participation, including attendance at the Indigenous and multi-stakeholder advisory meeting on September 17, seven bilateral meetings in October, and numerous emails and letters. Canada is reviewing all science, data, and feedback to inform decisions before the 2026 fishing season. DFO expects to announce the SRKW prey management approach in early 2026. To address concerns about annual measures, the Government of Canada is moving toward longer-term strategies. It will continue working with Indigenous groups, stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and the public to protect SRKW. SRKW have long lifespans, slow reproduction, and complex social structures, so recovery takes time. The Government remains committed to their protection with an adaptive approach based on the best available science. As new research emerges, measures will be refined to stay effective and responsive. Socio-economic impacts are an important evaluation criterion against which management measure options are assessed.The development of these measures has been informed by peer-reviewed scientific information and discussed with experts, First Nations, and stakeholders. Key sources that have informed the measures and their implementation include, but are not limited to: the SARA recovery documents (recovery strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (orcinus orca) in Canada; action plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (orcinus orca) in Canada); Southern Resident Killer Whale symposium) and scientific publications (examples: Ford et al. (2017); Thornton et al. (2022); DFO (2025); and other scientific publications that provide essential information that inform this analysis, but cannot be included due to unavailability in both official languages). DFO understands concerns about seals and sea lions eating salmon. Current science does not show a clear link between pinniped predation and salmon declines. Many species, like harbor seals, have recovered from past over-harvesting and are now stable or slightly declining in B.C.; Steller sea lion growth has slowed since 2013. Marine food webs are complex, and research shows seals and sea lions eat many species, including predators of salmon. Salmon makes up only a small part of their diet.