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Offshore Killer Whale Consultations

DFO needs your opinion!

Every year in Canada an independent group of scientific experts (called the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada or COSEWIC) identifies wildlife species that they consider to be at risk and may suffer further decline without assistance. When assessing species, COSEWIC only takes into consideration biological factors. The level of risk varies from Special Concern to Threatened to Endangered. Once these species are identified, they are eligible for inclusion under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

In a nutshell, it is the responsibility of the Federal Cabinet to determine whether to “legally list” these species under SARA. For species identified as Endangered or Threatened, legally listing immediately protects them from a number of human actions, including killing, harming, capturing, buying and selling, and initiates recovery efforts. For species identified as Special Concern, legally listing initiates a process to develop a management plan to maintain a sustainable population. Since these actions may have economic and social implications on the lives and livelihoods of some Canadians, part of the Cabinet’s decision-making process is to consult with these stakeholders and other groups.

That’s where we come in. In British Columbia this year, there are several aquatic species that have been designated by COSEWIC as being at risk and are now eligible for SARA listing. One of these species is the Pacific Ocean Offshore Population of Killer Whales. The main threats to this species are high levels of contaminants, acoustical and physical disturbances, and potential oil spills. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has identified it as Threatened.

So now we are seeking your opinions, ideas, knowledge and advice as to whether you support the Government of Canada carrying out additional protection measures to help recover this distinctive black and white marine mammal. All comments received are taken into consideration by the Government in making decisions on legally listing species under SARA.

The following questions are a guide only; please complete as many as you wish. You may also offer additional comments in the spaces provided, especially those regarding the impacts that would result from listing or not listing this species. Thank you for your interest and participation.

NOTE: Information provided in the comment forms may be made available to the public if requested through the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) process.

Species At Risk Legal Listing Questionnaire

Please choose ONE area which best represents your interests:
Academic
Commercial Fishing / Processing / Sales
Other industry (such as forestry, oil and gas, hydro, transportation, etc.)
Environmental Organisation
First Nation
Government
Public
Recreational Fishing
Stewardship Group
Tourism
Other (please specify below)
Where do you reside?
• British Columbia
    Caribou
    Kootenay
    Nechako
    North Coast
    Northeast
    Thompson / Okanagan
    Vancouver Islands & Coast / Victoria
    Vancouver & Metropolitan Area
• Yukon
• Elsewhere in Canada
• Outside Canada

How would listing this species affect you? Please check one box per area of impact.

Area of Impact	Positively	Negatively	No Impact	Impact Unknown
Culturally
Financially
Personally
Recreationally

Please indicate how you value this species (check as many as applicable):
In and of itself
For recreational use
For marine ecosystems sustainability
For food and cultural significance
For direct economic benefits
For other (please specify)

For indirect economic benefits
For future generations
OR
Don’t value
I believe it is important for the Government of Canada to allocate funding to support the recovery of this species.
Yes
No
Undecided
Do you think you can contribute to the conservation of this species as an individual or as a member of an organisation?
Yes. If yes, can you provide examples? (maximum 100 words)

No. If no, can you provide examples? (maximum 100 words)

Undecided
What organisation(s) do you think should be involved in the recovery or conservation of this species? (Maximum 100 words)
Are you a member of a First Nation?
Yes
No (if No, please jump to question 13)
Do you use this species for Food, Social or Ceremonial purposes?
Yes
No
Are you aware of any First Nations historical use of this species?
Yes
No
How would listing this species under SARA affect your culture or community?
If you are willing to share your Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) or Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) regarding this species, please provide your contact information:
Do you support the re-listing of Offshore Killer Whales from special concern to threatened under the Species at Risk Act?
Yes
No
Undecided
Why? (Maximum 250 words)
Do you have any other comments? (Maximum 250 words)
Would you like to be added to the SARA e-mail list to receive updates?
If yes, please type your e-mail address here

CONTACT INFORMATION (optional)

Name
Mailing address
Email address
Phone number