Commercial vessels asked to slow in B.C. waters to reduce harm to killer whales

Commercial vessels will again be asked to slow down or alter routes off the southern coast of British Columbia in 2026 as part of voluntary measures aimed at protecting endangered southern resident killer whales.

The port authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program is coordinating three initiatives, including ship slowdowns in Haro Strait, Boundary Pass and Swiftsure Bank, as well as a route alteration for tugboats in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A new trial slowdown is planned for March in Haro Strait and Boundary Pass after research showed the whales are historically present in the area in early spring.

Since 2017, participation by thousands of ship operators has helped cut underwater noise from commercial vessels by up to 50 per cent in key foraging areas, according to the program.

Participation will be tracked using vessel identification data and reported through ECHO’s biweekly newsletter.

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