Fisheries and Oceans Canada has developed a Draft recovery strategy for transient killer whales. The recovery strategy describes this population and its habitat needs, threats to their survival and habitat, knowledge gaps, identifies recovery goals and objectives, and strategies to address threats and effect recovery. We are now seeking input on the draft from those interested in and/or affected by recovery of these whales. Your input will help to finalize the recovery strategy and enable the development of more specific actions for recovery in the next phase of planning.

Please feel free to attach additional pages if the space provided is not sufficient or to provide comment on sections of the recovery strategy not outlined below. Some topics you might not know much about – feel free to skip those and move on to other questions. See Section 6 for information on submitting your input.


1.  Population and Biology (Sections 1.3 and 1.4 of the Recovery Strategy)

Transient killer whale populations are not expected to achieve high abundances due to their ecological position as upper trophic-level predators and their apparent propensity to live in relatively small populations. It is thought that population abundance has been limited by a high contaminant burden and prey availability and it is unknown as to whether the current population is below or at carrying capacity. Your additional input may improve what is known about the species and their distribution.

• Has the recovery strategy missed any information on abundance and distribution?
• Has the recovery strategy captured the relevant factors related to recovery?

Comments:




2.  Threats (Section 1.5)

Five major categories of human-induced threats have been identified: Contaminants, Acoustic Disturbance, Physical Disturbance, Toxic Spills and Changes in Prey Availability and/or Quantity. A Threat Classification table has been developed outlining these threats. Your perceptions on the threats will help the Team to portray them accurately in the recovery strategy

• Have the threats been accurately described?
• Do you know of any threats that have not been identified?
• Are there other measures or programs currently underway that may help reduce these threats?
• In your view, are there threats that require priority attention more so than others?

Comments:




3. Critical Habitat (Section 2.8)

“Critical Habitat” is defined under SARA as “the habitat that is necessary for the survival or recovery of a listed wildlife species”. Transients do not appear to be limited by specific physical features of the environment, other than features that may help them to successfully capture their prey. They generally range widely over the coast, and although transients may be seen year-round, they rarely remain in any one area for extended periods. Transients often return repeatedly to particular areas to forage (e.g. seal and sea lion haul-outs), but our understanding of which of these areas are important to transients on a population level is still very limited. Consequently, a Schedule of Studies was developed to better understand and identify important critical habitat.

•  Given your knowledge and experience, is the list of studies to determine critical habitat complete?
• Do you support the recommended studies to determine critical habitat?

Comments:


 

4. Goal and Objectives (Section 2)

The recovery strategy has identified goals and objectives for recovery and also considers whether recovery is feasible. Your input will help establish effective and realistic approaches for species recovery.

• Are the recovery goal and objectives realistic?
• Are there additional objectives that should be considered? Why?
• Would you change any of the objectives? Why

Comments:




5. Strategies to Address Threats & Effect Recovery (Section 2)

The recovery strategy proposes a number of broad approaches that are designed to meet recovery objectives and help guide the up-coming development of an action plan. Your input will help to ensure that the implications of these approaches are thoroughly considered.

• Can you suggest any additional approaches that have not been considered or any improvements to the current approaches?
• Do any of the approaches raise concerns that should be considered in action planning?
• Please identify whom or how you or other people or groups can get involved in recovery activities?

Comments:


 

6. Submitting Your Responses

Thank you for taking the time to review and comment on the Draft Recovery Strategy for Transient Whales. Submitting your response by April 30, 2007 will allow us to consider your input in finalizing the Recovery Strategy. There are several ways to submit your input:

1. In Writing: Complete and return this form to:
Fisheries & Oceans Canada
Marine Mammal Program – Draft Transient Killer Whale Recovery Strategy
14th Floor – 401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4

2. By Email: Complete and return this form or a separate response to:
MarineMammals@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

3. Online: Down load or complete this form on line at:
http://www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pages/consultations/consult_e.htm


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