Engagement on the science-based whale review

A summary of what was heard
March 2018

Engagement on the Science-based Whale Review
A Summary of What was Heard

Prepared by the consortium of Nielsen, Delaney + Associates, PubliVate.
Contract #: FP918-17-0001

Ce document est également disponible en français.

Table of Contents

• Complete Text
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Project Background
• 3. Summary of Engagement Strategy
  • 3.1 Targeted Input
  • 3.2 Open Public Engagement
• 4. Summary of What We Heard
  • 4.1 Who Did We Hear From?
  • 4.2 Understanding the Findings
  • 4.3 How the Following Sections are Organized
• 5. Prey Availability
  • 5.1 Summary of Key Themes
  • 5.2 What Indigenous Groups Said
  • 5.3 What Governments and Other Stakeholders Said
  • 5.4 What the General Public Said
• 6. Entanglements
  • 6.1 Summary of Key Themes
  • 6.2 What Indigenous Groups Said
  • 6.3 What Governments and Other Stakeholders Said
  • 6.4 What the General Public Said
• 7. Acoustic Disturbance and Vessel Presence
  • 7.1 Summary of Key Themes
  • 7.2 What Indigenous Groups Said
  • 7.3 What Governments and Other Stakeholders Said
  • 7.4 What the General Public Said
• 8. Vessel Strikes
  • 8.1 Summary of Key Themes
  • 8.2 What Indigenous Groups Said
  • 8.3 What Governments and Other Stakeholders Said
  • 8.4 What the General Public Said
• 9. Contaminants
  • 9.1 Summary of Key Themes
  • 9.2 What Indigenous Groups Said
  • 9.3 What Governments and Other Stakeholders Said
  • 9.4 What the General Public Said
• 10. Conclusions - Readiness to Move Actions Forward
  • 10.1 Common Themes across All Threats
  • 10.2 Roles and Leadership
  • 10.3 Improved Coordination and Communication
  • 10.4 Future Engagement and Consultation
  • 10.5 Region-specific Actions
• 11. Appendices
  • Appendix A: Who We Heard From
  • Appendix B. Profile of Respondents – Let’s Talk Whales Online Engagement
  • Appendix C: Engagement Questions

2. Project Background

Phase 1: Scientific Review Process

In Phase 1, Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists assessed the overall effectiveness of the recovery actions undertaken to date at reducing the key threats to the three endangered whale populations. They also identified areas for immediate improvement in recovery efforts and priorities for new or enhanced efforts, most of which could be initiated within five years.

An assessment of the threats affecting each whale population forms the basis for recovery measures that are identified in recovery strategies and action plans required under the Species at Risk Act  (2002). ^{Footnote 3}, ^{Footnote 4}, ^{Footnote 5} For the Science-Based Whale Review, Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists also identified priority management actions to abate the key threats to these three whale populations from a scientific perspective only, to help support recovery. These priority management actions, including timing and prioritization, were informed by:

• The recovery measures identified through the established Species at Risk Act process, identified in Species at Risk Act recovery documents, that have been implemented to date and those that are not yet underway;
• The current state of knowledge regarding the threats affecting the species today and any changes in those threats over time;
• The current population trajectory.

In some cases new actions were identified, while in others, actions already identified in published Recovery Strategies or Action Plans were further refined. For the Southern Resident Killer Whale, a newly emerged threat of vessel strikes was identified. For the detailed methodology, please refer to the complete Phase 1 science assessment reports.

The findings from the Science-Based Whale Review do not replace documents already developed under the Species at Risk Act, but are complementary to those documents. Results are intended to help focus management efforts, and augment the prioritization of recovery measures in those documents.

The priority management actions identified in Phase 1 have implications for Canadians, all levels of Government, Indigenous groups, industry (both large and small business) and the many non-governmental groups who work to protect the environment.

Phase 2: Engagement Process

Through the engagement process, the Government of Canada sought feedback on the priority management actions and on how governments, Indigenous groups, stakeholders (environmental groups; industry; key partners) and the public can work together on implementation.

The engagement activities took place from June 15 to September 19, 2017. See Section 3 – Summary of Engagement Strategy for details.

The three key objectives of the engagement were to:

• Educate parties about the ongoing threats to the three endangered whale populations and the priority management actions identified by scientists to support their recovery.
• Identify specific actions and roles to reduce negative impacts of human activities on these whales.
• Confirm the role of the different sectors and collaborative approach to support and implement effective management actions.

Phase 3: What Was Heard Report

This ‘What Was Heard’ report on the Science-Based Whale Review includes results from the engagement process for all three endangered whale populations. The report summarizes what was heard from participants at regional in person/webinar meetings across the country, written submissions (e-mails, letters), and the public through the online portal (Let’s Talk Whales).

The feedback the Government of Canada received during the engagement will inform further discussions and implementation planning for enhanced recovery efforts for these whale populations. These efforts could also have benefits for other whale populations in Canada.