On October 26, 2017, the federal government announced it will enact an enforceable requirement for all water-based vessels to maintain a minimum distance of 200 metres from southern resident killer whales beginning by next spring. In response, the Executive Director of Georgia Strait Alliance, Christianne Wilhelmson, made the following statement: “With this policy, the federal government is strengthening the current…
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Time is running out to fend off orca extinction
Federal government’s orca symposium failed to establish concrete action on recovery measures, say seven conservation groups
The federal government’s southern resident killer whale Symposium, held as part of the Oceans Protection Plan this week in Vancouver, failed to identify concrete actions to ensure the recovery of the endangered killer whales, according to seven environmental organizations. “Threats to southern residents are well-documented and to support recovery we need to be implementing tangible measures immediately,” says Christianne Wilhelmson,…
Read more »Loss of newborn orca devastating to southern resident population
Georgia Strait Alliance responds to news of likely orca death October 2014 VANCOUVER – With the news this week that 7 week old newborn southern resident orca L120 has not been seen with its mother in many days and is presumed dead, the reality of the stresses on orca populations and the increasing challenges to their survival have been further…
Read more »Naval Gazing: Military must address activities in killer whale critical habitat
March 21, 2012 VANCOUVER – Eight conservation organizations working to protect marine wildlife on Canada’s Pacific coast are urging the Canadian Navy to exclude military training exercises from the critical habitat of southern resident killer whales. This population of killer whales is listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the legal obligation to protect their critical…
Read more »Appeal court decision affirms protection for killer whales
Environmental groups celebrate victory after federal government ordered to pay costs of failed appeal Feb. 9, 2012 VANCOUVER – The federal Court of Appeal has upheld a precedent-setting ruling that confirmed the federal government is legally bound to protect killer whale habitat, according to a judgment released today. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed nearly all aspects…
Read more »Environmental groups back in court to defend killer whale ruling
Federal government seeks to reverse parts of 2010 decision on critical habitat protection November 30, 2011 VANCOUVER – Ecojustice will appear before the federal Court of Appeal today to defend a precedent-setting ruling that confirmed the federal government is legally bound to protect killer whale habitat. Ottawa has since appealed the ruling. Ecojustice, representing a coalition of nine environmental groups,…
Read more »Sharing the bounty: orca’s stake in salmon protection
Research shows need for restoring salmon population key to orca recovery November 9, 2011 VANCOUVER – In a paper published today in PLoS ONE, researchers reveal the energetic needs of killer whales for Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea. This important information underscores how recovery planning for both species needs to factor in just how many salmon the killer whales…
Read more »Salmon Inquiry shows need for government overhaul
Conservation groups say focus must be salmon, not industry October 18, 2011 VANCOUVER – The federal government must re-prioritize science and conserving salmon rather than surrendering to short-term industry interests, according to recommendations made by conservation groups to a national inquiry into the decline of Fraser sockeye. The recommendations were submitted on October 17 by the Conservation Coalition, which was…
Read more »Big step taken in protecting the Strait of Georgia
Ministers’ announcement milestone in creating Conservation Area for Southern Strait October 13, 2011 Vancouver – Today’s announcement of an agreement between the Federal and BC Provincial governments regarding seabed rights in the proposed National Marine Conservation Area in the Southern Strait of Georgia was greeted by enthusiastic support by the Georgia Strait Alliance. The announcement by Minister Kent and Minister…
Read more »Federal Court awards costs on orca protection case
Fisheries on the hook for $80,000 in legal costs
by Mark Hume The Federal Court of Canada has stuck the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with an $80,000 legal bill because, in a court battle over orca habitat, the government “displayed reprehensible, scandalous or improper conduct that is deserving of reproof or rebuke.” DevonPage, executive director of Ecojustice, a not-for-profit legal foundation, said the decision “is exceptional” and its…
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