In 2003 and 2004 Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO) conducted extensive, Canada wide, consultations asking Canadians what kind of protections are necessary for marine mammals. We heard that there are concerns about activities that have the potential to disturb or disrupt the life processes of marine mammals. In light of growing non-consumptive activities, like marine mammal viewing, there was support for the need to enhance the Marine Mammal Regulations of the Fisheries Act to ensure that marine mammals are protected through adequate, enforceable and explicit laws. To see the summary report on these consultations, please click here.

Based on what DFO heard from the public, stakeholders and First Nations during the first round of consultations, proposed regulation amendments have been drafted. Consultations to solicit feedback on the proposals are scheduled to be conducted in each DFO Region across Canada.

• Draft of Marine Mammal Regulation Amendments

Community Dialogue Sessions

On the Pacific Coast, Community Dialogue Sessions were held in March and April 2005 in Victoria, Port McNeil and Vancouver, B.C. and focused on the draft revisions to the Marine Mammal Regulations (above) and the Draft National Recovery Strategy for Northern & Southern Resident Killer Whales. The public was also invited to submit written feedback by May 31, 2005 on the draft revisions to the Marine Mammal Regulations. In addition, meetings with commercial eco tourism operators where held in April and May 2005 in Victoria, Tofino and Campbell River to further discuss the draft revisions to the Marine Mammal Regulations.

The following reports provide a summary of the community dialogue sessions and the written feedback received on these two marine mammal consultation initiatives. View summaries of the first three documents here.  If you are interested in obtaining a complete copy of these reports, please email Annely Greene at MarineMammals@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

• Public Consultation Summary: Victoria, Port McNeil, and Vancouver
   
• Analysis of Written Submissions on the Draft National Recovery Strategy for Northern & Southern Resident Killer Whales
   
• Analysis of Written Submissions on the Proposed Amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations
   
• Records of meetings with eco tourism operators: Tofino, Campbell River, Victoria

Thank you for taking an interest in this important initiative.

DFO Contact:
 

Marilyn Joyce
Marine Mammal Coordinator
200 - 401 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC
V6C 3S4
Tel: (604) 666-9965
MarineMammals@dfo-mpo.gc.ca