Whole in the Water
Well-Known Member
Great note from the SFI-BC on upcoming opportunity to provide your input into DFO process to decide upon areas for habitat protection for the SRKW. This is a very important issue that will greatly impact the recreational fishing sector. Now is the time to provide your reasoned input into this public input process!
Post 1 of this post has dates, time and location info on the public input session. Post 2 and 3 of this post provide some backg5ound information on some of the key issues regarding SKRW habitat protection. (Have to put it into 3 parts due the length of the SFI note and the forum restrictions on the size posts)
_______________________________________________________________________
September 17, 2018 - in mid-June, DFO provided notice requesting feedback on proposed designation of Resident Killer Whale critical habitat. The request was badly timed, however, DFO has responded to feedback from the sport fishing community that additional opportunity to contribute information and comment must be provided. A notice by DFO sent out this past Friday afternoon, details two online webinars and two in person meetings on Vancouver Island at the end of this month and the beginning for October. Locations, dates and some suggestions for developing a response are provided in this update.
September 17, 2018
RESIDENT KILLER WHALES CRITICAL HABITAT DISCUSSION
INFORMATION SESSIONS AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
DFO opened a review of the Recovery Strategies to public consultation on June 12, 2018 and closed it on July 11, 2018. While the key points for discussion required input from stakeholders, the timing and the window of opportunity to provide feedback was inappropriate. Stakeholders that could provide meaningful feedback were either unaware of this comment period or were too busy with the height of the season. Many pointed this out to DFO, and while they have maintained a time line of action, they have added two in person opportunities to provide comment about the critical habitat proposals for Southern Resident Killer Whales on the West coast of Vancouver Island.
The following are details of the notice from DFO:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Parks Canada Agency (PCA) are pleased to notify you of the following information sessions regarding the proposed amendments to the Recovery Strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in Canada.
The amended Recovery Strategy includes identification of two additional areas as proposed critical habitat for Resident Killer Whales following recent science advice, as well as clarification of the features, functions and attributes for proposed and existing critical habitat. The proposed amended Recovery Strategy is currently posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry, and public input is being sought on Section 7 (Critical habitat) of the document for a 60-day comment period (September 4 – November 3, 2018). Input is sought via the above link or through the regional SARA program (contact info below).
The purpose of the information sessions is to provide information about the proposed critical habitat for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales, including the description of the science advice underlying the identification of the additional proposed critical habitat areas, and to answer questions about the proposed amendments to the document.
Locations, dates and times of these meetings are:
Webinars:
· Webinar 1: Tuesday, September 25th, 2018, 10 am – 12 pm
· Webinar 2: Wednesday, September 26th, 2018, 10 am – 12 pm
WebEx Information:
Toll-free dial-in number (Canada/US): 1 877-413-4782
Post 1 of this post has dates, time and location info on the public input session. Post 2 and 3 of this post provide some backg5ound information on some of the key issues regarding SKRW habitat protection. (Have to put it into 3 parts due the length of the SFI note and the forum restrictions on the size posts)
_______________________________________________________________________
September 17, 2018 - in mid-June, DFO provided notice requesting feedback on proposed designation of Resident Killer Whale critical habitat. The request was badly timed, however, DFO has responded to feedback from the sport fishing community that additional opportunity to contribute information and comment must be provided. A notice by DFO sent out this past Friday afternoon, details two online webinars and two in person meetings on Vancouver Island at the end of this month and the beginning for October. Locations, dates and some suggestions for developing a response are provided in this update.
September 17, 2018
RESIDENT KILLER WHALES CRITICAL HABITAT DISCUSSION
INFORMATION SESSIONS AND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT
DFO opened a review of the Recovery Strategies to public consultation on June 12, 2018 and closed it on July 11, 2018. While the key points for discussion required input from stakeholders, the timing and the window of opportunity to provide feedback was inappropriate. Stakeholders that could provide meaningful feedback were either unaware of this comment period or were too busy with the height of the season. Many pointed this out to DFO, and while they have maintained a time line of action, they have added two in person opportunities to provide comment about the critical habitat proposals for Southern Resident Killer Whales on the West coast of Vancouver Island.
The following are details of the notice from DFO:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Parks Canada Agency (PCA) are pleased to notify you of the following information sessions regarding the proposed amendments to the Recovery Strategy for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) in Canada.
The amended Recovery Strategy includes identification of two additional areas as proposed critical habitat for Resident Killer Whales following recent science advice, as well as clarification of the features, functions and attributes for proposed and existing critical habitat. The proposed amended Recovery Strategy is currently posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry, and public input is being sought on Section 7 (Critical habitat) of the document for a 60-day comment period (September 4 – November 3, 2018). Input is sought via the above link or through the regional SARA program (contact info below).
The purpose of the information sessions is to provide information about the proposed critical habitat for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales, including the description of the science advice underlying the identification of the additional proposed critical habitat areas, and to answer questions about the proposed amendments to the document.
Locations, dates and times of these meetings are:
Webinars:
· Webinar 1: Tuesday, September 25th, 2018, 10 am – 12 pm
· Webinar 2: Wednesday, September 26th, 2018, 10 am – 12 pm
WebEx Information:
Toll-free dial-in number (Canada/US): 1 877-413-4782
- Local dial-in number: 613-960-7511
- Conference ID: 5681284
Regional in-person meetings:
PORT ALBERNI
Wednesday, October 3rd 2018, 6-9 pm
Best Western Barclay Hotel, 4277 Stamp Ave.
UCLUELET
Thursday, October 4th 2018, 6-9 pm
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ballroom, 596 Marine Drive
The SFI is coordinating participation with local groups including the West Coast Fishing Guide Association - WCFGA and maintains an archive of many useful and relevant documents and publications regarding Killer Whales here: RKW Issues.
- Two additional areas of special importance as proposed critical habitat for Resident Killer Whales. These include:
- waters on the continental shelf off southwestern Vancouver Island, including Swiftsure and La Pérouse Banks (important for both Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales)
- waters of west Dixon Entrance, along the north coast of Graham Island from Langara to Rose Spit (important for Northern Resident Killer Whales)
- The amendment also provides clarification of the functions, features and attributes for all critical habitat identified for Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales
Last edited:
