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B.C.: Government Seeks Public Input on Marine Mammal Initiatives |
| April 1, 2005 |
 | Northern resident killer whales off B.C.'s coast. The northern resident population is estimated at 200 individuals.
Photo: Doug Sandilands |
On March 30, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) began conducting public information sessions on a proposed recovery strategy for B.C.’s northern and southern resident killer whales, and on proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations. The consultations give the public, First Nations, environmental groups and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input into these two initiatives.
The draft strategy for killer whale recovery, prepared by members of an appointed Killer Whale Recovery Team, is the product of more than a year of research and collaboration. The team’s 24 members – experts in fields such as killer whale biology, population assessment, genetics and health, environmental pollution, acoustics, prey resources, and ecotourism – believe the strategy will give the northern and southern resident populations their best chance for recovery.
The second objective of the public consultations, amending the Marine Mammal Regulations, will ensure that all Canadians clearly understand their responsibilities to protect marine mammals and to ensure that DFO has the tools to fulfill its mandate. Amendments to existing regulations were drafted following extensive, Canada-wide consultations in 2003 and 2004, during which Canadians were asked what kind of protections they felt were necessary to protect marine mammals.
Despite their status as an icon of Canada’s Pacific coast, southern and northern resident killer whale populations declined by approximately 20% and 7% respectively from the mid 1990’s to 2000. The southern resident population size is small (78 individuals in 2001) while the northern population consists of about 200 individuals. To varying degrees, these populations face several known threats including disturbance from vessel traffic and other human activities, reductions in prey species and high levels of toxic contaminants in their tissues.
A public information session will be held in Vancouver on Monday, April 4 at Simon Fraser University’s Harbour Centre. More information is available online.
Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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