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

3. Summary of Engagement Strategy

The Science-Based Whale Review was launched as part of the Oceans Protection Plan in recognition of increasing threats to three endangered whale populations. While Fisheries and Oceans Canada has worked with Indigenous groups, stakeholders and industry for many years to identify recovery actions for these populations, the engagement strategy focused on the next step - the timely and efficient implementation of priority actions.

The findings included in this report are from multiple channels based on two main engagement strategies:

• A targeted approach for input from governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders; and
• An open public engagement approach (online) to reach the Canadian public. ^{Footnote 6}

Figure 2 provides a snapshot of the time line engagement components and time line.

3.1 Targeted Input

Regional in person/webinar meetings (by invitation) were held and/or written submissions were received from:

• Governments (federal government departments, provincial and municipal governments, U.S. Government);
• Indigenous groups;
• Stakeholders (industry/business, environmental non-government and non-profit organizations and academia/research groups).

The targeted regional engagement sessions were held from June 15 through June 30, 2017. Each meeting (in person and/or webinar) was facilitated by Delaney and Associates or an independent consultant. The sessions focused on priority management actions identified in the Phase 1 science assessment report specific to one of the three endangered whale populations.

The meeting format consisted of an introduction to the purpose of the meeting and a brief presentation on the priority management actions identified in the Phase 1 scientific assessment report for one of the three endangered whale populations. Each meeting included information to help situate the Science-Based Whale Review in the context of other whale and ocean management related efforts such as Species at Risk Act processes, and the Oceans Protection Plan, among others. Participants were invited to ask clarifying questions and to provide feedback on priority management actions for one or more of the main threats.

Participants provided feedback through a combination of open discussion and, in the Pacific region, through structured activities, e.g., rating current state of the priority management actions to identify quick wins, ease of implementation, readiness to provide leadership/partner, and opportunities for collaboration.

Transcriptions of discussion were prepared and coded by consultants, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

In response to the expressed need by stakeholders for additional time to provide comments, Fisheries and Oceans Canada offered the opportunity to provide written feedback following the in person/webinar meetings.

For additional information on in person/webinar meetings and written submissions, see Appendix A – Who We Heard From:

• Appendix A1 – Summary of Participation in Regional Meetings
• Appendix A2.1 - A2.3 – Organizations Represented at Regional Meetings
• Appendix A3 – Organizations Who Made Written Submissions

3.2 Open Public Engagement

Canadians (individuals and groups) provided input through an online portal and by sending e-mails/letters to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The online portal (Let's Talk Whales) was open from August 8 to September 19, 2017. Feedback was collected through:

• Questionnaires: Five short questionnaires inviting participant feedback on key actions to help support recovery. Each survey focused on one of five key threats affecting one or more of the endangered whale populations:
• Threat 1: Food availability
• Threat 2: Underwater noise
• Threat 3: Entanglements
• Threat 4: Contaminants
• Threat 5: Vessels
• Ideas Forum: An open-ended forum for Canadians to post their ideas for action and to comment on the ideas of others. The open-ended challenge question posed on the forum was:

How can we, as Canadians, take action now to reduce impacts on at-risk whales and help their recovery?

3.3 Adapting and Strengthening the Engagement Process

When announced in November 2016, the Oceans Protection Plan committed the Government to deliver the Science-Based Whale Review by summer 2017. The science-based assessment reports were finalized at the end of April 2017 and made available for engagement sessions.

Engagement sessions took place from mid to late June 2017. Participants raised concerns about timing, in particular the proximity to summer holidays, the engagement activities being held during the busy season for the fishing and whale-watching industries, and the short time frame between the materials being available and the sessions taking place. Indigenous groups also raised concerns that financial support did not accompany the engagement request.

The Government of Canada responded to the early feedback on the limited time for review and comment, providing additional time for follow-up written submissions, strengthening communication and outreach to partners and looking into additional mechanisms to engage stakeholders on this issue.

Feedback received through participant evaluations was reviewed by the consultant group and the Government of Canada to inform future engagements.