Southern Resident Killer Whale Symposium

October 10-12, 2017
Vancouver, British Columbia

What We Heard Report

SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE SYMPOSIUM: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA OVERVIEW

Natasha Rascanin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Transport Canada

Key Messages

Within the federal family, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Transport Canada (TC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) all have important roles to play in the protection and recovery of the SRKW.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for:

• Integrated oceans management
• SRKW protection and recovery
• Science relating to marine mammals and their prey (salmon), including forage fish
• Ecosystem-based management of marine fisheries
• Protection of fish and fish habitat in marine and freshwater ecosystems
• Marine mammal management, protection and regulation

Transport Canada (TC) is responsible for:

• Maritime transportation-related issues (noise/disturbances and strikes)
• Supporting on prey availability as it relates to underwater vessel noise and vessel presence

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is responsible for:

• Management and mitigation of contaminants
• Supporting on prey availability as it relates to contaminants

As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, DFO was asked to conduct a science-based review of the effectiveness of the current management and recovery actions for three endangered whales including the North Atlantic Right Whale, St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga and Southern Resident Killer Whale. DFO shared the results of this review and consulted with governments at all levels, Indigenous groups, stakeholders and the public on priority actions, from June to September 2017. A “What We Heard” report from these engagement sessions will be published in the near future.

Finding solutions to the challenges is not something that one group or one level of government can tackle on its own, and the Government of Canada recognizes that multiple stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples have already been playing an important role in identifying, analyzing and testing potential solutions. Important work has already been started with domestic, U.S. and international partners, and we need to continue to work together to identify opportunities for action and cooperation.