Federal government measures to protect orcas threaten livelihoods in the Westshore

Long before their listing as an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) in 2003, southern resident killer whales have been an iconic symbol of the Pacific Northwest. Southern resident orcas feed exclusively on fish–with a preference for Chinook and coho or chum if they can’t get it. An adult orca needs an estimated 200-385 pounds of fish daily which represents around 4% of their body weight. According to the Orca Conservancy, their population has fallen to a mere 74 members of the J, K, and L pods. Despite efforts by the Government of Canada to support their recovery, the whales continue to face threats to their survival and well-being. 

In response to their decades-long decline, various protective measures have been implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), including fishery closures, interim sanctuary zones, increased vessel approach distances, and voluntary measures for fish harvesters and vessels in the vicinity of the whales. Measures announced by the DFO and Transport Canada in April of last year have raised serious concerns among recreational fishermen in Port Renfrew and along the Westshore. 

The real pain spot for recreational fishermen is DFO’s static closure on Chinook salmon fishing in BC Tidal Area 20 (including Sooke and Port Renfrew) that will come into effect during prime fishing season from July 16 and will last until Oct. 31.

Instead of targeting recreational fishing, stakeholders there are advocating for a more balanced approach that prioritizes looking more closely at environmental factors like shipping noise and pollution they feel are impacting the whales' well-being far more.

“The proposals for whale restrictions for 2024 are so severe that the community of Port Renfrew, which is highly dependent now on recreational fishing, are considering every option that they have available to try and halt this kind of random attack on their ability to harvest salmon,” said Tom Davis, a lifelong fisherman who spent two decades on the Sport Fishing Institute advisory board and a decade on the Canada U.S. Pacific Salmon Commission.  

At a recent fisheries town hall in Langford, Davis cited research led by Andrew Trites and Mei Sato that came out of UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries in collaboration with sport and commercial fisherman indicating that the number of Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea are more than abundant for southern resident killer whales and that there are bigger fish to fry like environmental protections and shipping noise to consider in how to protect the orcas. “Contaminants,” said Davis, “pose a significant threat to the health of the whales and their prey, exacerbating their already precarious situation.” 

Ocean Watch says that SRKWs are some of the most PCB (polychlorinated biphynel)-containing marine mammals and has identified significant contaminant hot spots in urban harbours of Vancouver (Burrard Inlet), Prince Rupert and Victoria. 

Meanwhile, Davis says, “the solutions that they've come up with have been very punitive to recreational angling. Anglers love killer whales, which may seem odd, but I don't think there's an angler out there who doesn't want to see the southern resident killer whales recovered.”

Through its static closure measure, the provincial government is asking recreational fishermen to make sacrifices to their livelihoods in the name of protecting the orcas, but the fishermen are pushing back, saying the measure will harm their livelihoods, their families and will have broader economic consequences in Port Renfrew and the Pacheedaht First Nation. 

Davis points to the impact of static closure combined with ongoing non-retention (catch and release) measures that have been implemented for the last six years from April 1 to as late as July 31 as the potential cause of significant social and economic disruption and the loss of recreational fishing infrastructure. 

“Marinas with invaluable property are going to take a look at it all and say you know what? We can't continue to do this and within a year or so you might see condos there and a marina gone and damages, besides reputation as a tourist fishing destination, and tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars lost to the BC economy,” he says. 

In a letter to Diane Lebouthillier, the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Chris Tucker, president of the Port Renfrew Chamber of Commerce writes “the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is considering regulations that could devastate this vital sector.” 

Tucker highlights the economic significance of the recreational fishery in the region. “The recreational fishery to our community conservatively, and based on our studies, the recreational charter fishery injects at least $103,000 per day into Port Renfrew’s economy during the short fishing season” and $26 million annually into the area alone. 

He describes the impact of the industry in the community in broader terms. “The economic vitality of our community hinges on various local establishments including restaurants, hotels, general stores, gas stations, post offices and educational institutions. Moreover, recreational fishing serves as a vital pillar for employment opportunities sustaining community members in crucial roles such as volunteer firefighters and first responders.”

Tucker criticizes what he says is a lack of scientific basis for DFO’s measures. “Historically, the DFO has been influenced more by political considerations than by robust scientific principles. Despite claims of being science backed and aimed at protecting southern resident killer whales. The current proposed regulations in the static area closures enacted over the last number of years disregards the DFO’s own research and data.”

The letter underscores what he describes as “the urgent need for a more balanced and evidence-based approach to fisheries management.”

Tucker told The Westshore that “if the DFO proceeds with the proposed closures, the recreational fishing guides will be forced to close their business. Most of these have sole proprietors, largely run by men with families.” 

Both Davis and Tucker are asking the DFO to consider more viable alternatives, such as expanding mobile avoidance or “bubble” zones, which have demonstrated efficacy in safeguarding whales without disproportionately impacting surrounding communities. Bubble zones require fishermen to pull up nets, lines and gear whenever orcas appear and keep them up until they leave a given area. 

As discussions with the federal government continue, they say it is imperative that the DFO takes into account the concerns of coastal communities like Port Renfrew and works towards solutions that ensure the well-being of both humans and whales.

“We want to work with them (DFO) to find real solutions,” Tucker said. “However, to date, decision-makers are not even listening to their own people, let alone us fishermen that are actually on these waters.”