Southern Resident killer whales have important cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples and coastal communities in British Columbia. These iconic animals face imminent threats to their survival and recovery. Protecting them requires comprehensive and immediate action.
The 3 primary threats to Southern Resident killer whales are:
- reduced prey availability and accessibility
- acoustic and physical disturbance
- contaminants
Canada has laws and regulations in place to address these threats and support the survival of this species, and there are voluntary measures that you can take as well. Effectively ensuring the protection and recovery of Southern Resident killer whales requires a long-term, collective effort. These measures reflect current science and advice from First Nations, Stakeholders, the Indigenous Multi-Nation Group, Indigenous and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group, Technical Working Groups, and from public consultations.
Regulations to support Southern Resident killer whales
You must follow Canada’s laws and regulations to protect Southern Resident killer whales.
Maps of management measures
Maps show an overview of measures by geographic area.