VANCOUVER, June 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada has the longest coastline in the world, serving as home to rich biodiversity and precious ecosystems. The Government of Canada is building on its historic Oceans Protection Plan, and taking immediate action to preserve and restore marine ecosystems to help endangered whale populations recover.
Today, Canada's Whales Initiative was announced in Vancouver by the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. This $167.4 million initiative under Budget 2018 will protect and support the recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale, the North Atlantic right whale, and the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga whale through comprehensive actions tailored to address the unique combinations of threats.
Specifically in regards to the Southern Resident Killer Whales in the Salish Sea, the Government of Canada recognizes that they face an imminent threat to survival and recovery which requires immediate attention. Canada's Whales Initiative includes immediate and comprehensive action to support their recovery by addressing the main threats they face: lack of prey, disturbance from vessels, including noise and pollution from land-based sources. Key actions include:
Improving prey availability for the Southern Resident Killer Whales by:
Reducing disturbance from underwater vessel noise by:
Enhancing monitoring under the water and in the air by:
Encouraging compliance and strengthening enforcement by:
Building partnerships for additional action
The Government of Canada is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples, environmental organizations, members of ECHO, fishing organizations and the marine industry, as well as other governments to develop additional measures needed to secure the recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale. These actions could include additional mandatory measures, legislative changes and adoption of new technologies.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also undertaking a Whale Innovation Challenge initiative in partnership with Nesta's Challenge Prize Centre to develop solutions towards real-time detection and location of whales. This initiative aims to mobilize the technology development community in Canada and globally to develop whale-specific solutions to better understand the location, abundance and movements of whales and whale populations. This will contribute to scientific whale research and overall efforts to protect endangered whales in Canada.
The $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada's coasts and waterways. Through this plan, the Government of Canada is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coasts and waterways for generations to come. This work is being done in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, and in close collaboration with local stakeholders and coastal communities.
Quotes
"I am encouraged by how the Government of Canada and its partners have come together to help protect and recover Canada's endangered whales. With more eyes in the sky and ears in the water, the Southern Resident Killer Whale will get additional protection as we work together to reduce threats. Human-caused threats, including lack of prey, underwater noise, and contaminants, are things we can address together to help save this iconic species."
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
"Whales play a very important role in our marine ecosystems, and these iconic species also hold immense cultural value. We have a responsibility to continue to take action to protect our whale populations. Building on the important work done under the Oceans Protection Plan, our government's Whales Initiative will take concrete steps in helping these endangered whales by increasing our science and reducing the impact of human-caused threats."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"The Southern Resident Killer Whale has captured the imagination of British Columbians and has been deeply embedded in the cultures of Indigenous Peoples for many generations. We're taking meaningful action to address threats to this magnificent creature by implementing additional new measures in partnership with environmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples, governments and stakeholders. We will protect this iconic species for us and for generations to come."
The Honourable Catherine McKenna
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada
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SOURCE Transport Canada
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