Southern Straight of Georgia

HOME OF THE ORCAS

Between Vancouver and Victoria lie the emerald waters of the Southern Strait of Georgia, home to most endangered marine mammals in Canada– the Southern Resident killer whales. Southern Resident orca critical habitat has been identified in the area, where they feed on extreme dwindling numbers of their favored chinook salmon.

The legacy of thriving orca echoes through stories told across the surrounding Salish Sea where, in 2023 only 75 remain. Precariously low numbers of their favoured Chinook salmon and noise from marine transportation affect their hunting. While interim and seasonal measures have been put in place to increase food availability and decrease human disturbance, they need permanent protections if there is to be any chance of their survival.

ID: Illustration shows two kblack and white killer whales echoing sound off school of fish

The planned NMCAR would include critical feeding habitat for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

ID: Illustration shows bubble of fish, birds, sealions through the Southern Gulf Islands map

ID: Illustration shows green eelgrass and seaweed absorbs CO2

HOME OF THE ORCAS

The legacy of thriving orca echoes through stories told across the surrounding Salish Sea where now a mere 75 remain. Precariously low numbers of their favoured Chinook salmon and noise from marine transportation affect their hunting. While interim and seasonal measures have been put in place to increase food availability and decrease human disturbance, they need permanent protections if there is to be any chance of their survival.

The planned NMCAR would include critical feeding habitat for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

BIODIVERSITRY HOTSPOTS

The Southern Strait of Georgia is more than just the home of the Southern Resident orcas. More than 3,000 species can be found here seasonally and year-round. These include the Bigg’s transient killer whales, the Pacific giant octopus — the world’s largest, 100-year-old rockfish, schools of herring and salmon, millions of birds, as well as seals and sea lions, dolphins and whales. The region also contains climate change fighting, biodiverse habitats like seagrass beds and glass sponge reefs.

The shores of the Salish Sea and the many islands within it have sustained Indigenous Peoples for generations. The incredible natural beauty and abundance of life led scientists, including world-renowned ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, to call for its protection back in 1970.

In 2003, Parks Canada and the provincial government began working to establish the Southern Strait of Georgia National Marine Conservation Area Reserve (NMCAR), but two decades later, the area is still not protected.

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

The shores of the Salish sea and the many islands within it have sustained Indigenous Peoples for generations. The incredible natural beauty and abundance of life led scientists, including world-renowned ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, to call for its protection back in 1970.

THESE WATERS ARE OVERDUE FOR PROTECTION

Right now local First Nations are working with Parks Canada on the feasibility of an NMCAR to protect these waters. Co-development and co-management will ensure that the vision and stewardship values of the 11 First Nations who share these waters are at the heart of plans to protect these waters. We expect updates this summer on the status of the process and how you can share your support for protecting the home of the orcas.

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THESE WATERS ARE OVERDUE FOR PROTECTION

A NATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREA RESERVE

NMCARs are a type of federal marine protected area created by Parks Canada. They focus on ecologically sustainable use — harmonizing conservation with human activities. This involves working closely with those who use the coastal land and the water to create a healthy marine ecosystem.

Human uses such as fishing and shipping, for example, are allowed in national marine conservation areas. But they would be limited or even eliminated from zones protecting sensitive features such as nesting areas, spawning beds, and cultural sites.

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