Fishery closures suggested in federal proposals to save West Coast killer whales
VANCOUVER — Strategic fishery closures and marine habitat protection are part of a proposed plan by the federal government to protect the threatened killer whales off Canada’s West Coast.
The recovery plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale population has been set out online by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with a 60-day public comment period.
The document makes 94 recommendations to help the two distinct whale populations that eat only fish.
The Northern Residents are listed as threatened in Canada, while the United States has declared its Southern Resident population endangered.