This month, you can have a say in the Action Planning process for northern and southern resident killer whales.  Fisheries and Oceans Canada is inviting the public to three consultation meetings in Victoria, Vancouver and Port Hardy.  The evenings will include an open house from 6:00-7:00pm where the public can learn more about the Action Planning process followed by a public meeting from 7:00pm- 9:00pm where members of the public can provide input and feedback into the priorities and development of the recovery action plan.

Northern and southern resident killer whales are listed as ‘Threatened’ and ‘Endangered’ respectively, and a recovery strategy for these populations is posted on the SARA National Registry: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/species/speciesDetails_e.cfm?sid=699

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is required to develop a recovery strategy and action plan for all threatened or endangered aquatic species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).  According to SARA, an Action Plan “outlines the projects or activities required to meet the goals and objectives outlined in the recovery strategy. This includes information on the species habitat, protection measures, and an evaluation of the socio-economic costs and benefits. It is the second part of the two-part recovery planning process and is used to implement the projects or activities to improve the species status.”

If you would like to know more about the northern and southern resident killer whale populations and would like to provide comments, feedback or input into the draft ‘actions’ supporting recovery of these populations, make sure to attend one of the upcoming meetings:

Public Consultations: (6:00pm-9:00pm)

February 2, 2012               Victoria, BC                       The Maritime Museum of BC
February 9, 2012               Vancouver, BC                  Vancouver Maritime Museum
February 23, 2012             Port Hardy, BC                 Quarterdeck Inn Marina Resort

First Nations Consultations: (10:00am-2:00pm)

February 3, 2012              Nanaimo, BC                      Best Western Dorchester Hotel
February 7, 2012              Campbell River, BC           Campbell River Lodge
February 10, 2012            Mission, BC                         Location TBD
February 16, 2012            Kamloops, BC                     Tentative
February 17, 2012            Quesnel, BC                         Tentative

Please see http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/sara-lep/index-eng.htm for further information.

Anthony Kaulfuss

Alana Phillips


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