Ottawa floats new rule to keep vessels one kilometre from southern resident orcas

An orca named J47, breaches in this Sept. 23, 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Center for Whale Research, NMFS/NOAA Permit 27038 (Mandatory Credit)

Vessels will have to steer one kilometre clear of endangered southern resident orcas under newly proposed federal regulations that are being applauded by commercial whale watchers.

Erin Gless, executive director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association that represents 28 companies in Canada and the United States, says the organization “strongly supports” the proposed changes.

The move would increase minimum distances from the whales from the current 200 metres.

But Gless says that would make no difference to the association’s 0perators, which have not actively viewed southern residents from any distance in B.C. waters since 2019.

The approach distance for other killer whales would remain at 200 metres.

The Washington-state based Center for Whale Research says its census put the population of southern residents at 74, as of July last year.

But the population of southern resident orcas continues to decline, despite its endangered status, the federal government says.

The Canada Gazette, the federal government’s official newspaper, first announced the proposed changes this month, and stakeholders can submit comments until April 21.

The proposed distance rule change would align Canadian regulations with neighbouring Washington State.

“Having consistent regulations on both sides of the border will simplify education and enforcement,” Gless said.

She said whale watching was an important part of the provincial economy.

“This proposed amendment would provide additional protection for endangered southern residents, without impacting the ability of professional whale watchers to view the region’s non-endangered whales.”

The gazette says that killer whales, including southern residents, rely heavily on echolocation to forage for food, communication and mating, and that disturbances from nearby vessels reduce their ability to carry out these and other functions.

All marine mammals also face the potential of being struck by vessels.

“The proposed (amendments) would mitigate the threats posed to (southern resident killer whales) by physical and acoustic disturbance related to some vessel traffic,” it reads.

The Canada Gazette says it developed the proposed changes after consultations with groups including First Nations and commercial operators.

It says the proposed change “would not incrementally impact fishing activities, including rights-based fishing activities,” or “any commercial vessels in transit, including major project vessels and cruise ships in transit.”

This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2026.