The federal government is proposing a major new investment to help protect endangered whales and their habitats across Canadian waters.

More than $258 million over the next five years is being earmarked to renew and expand whale protection efforts, including measures aimed at reducing ship strikes, underwater noise, and fishing gear entanglements.

A large portion of that funding - nearly $95 million - will focus specifically on protecting Southern Resident killer whales, as marine traffic is expected to increase through Canada’s trade diversification plans.

The funding will support vessel speed restrictions, enhanced whale monitoring, and a new regional underwater noise management program in the Salish Sea.

Ottawa also says it will work with B.C. Ferries to help reduce underwater vessel noise by as much as 50-percent, while expanding support for Indigenous-led protection efforts.

As part of those measures, vessels will once again be required to stay at least 1,000 metres away from Southern Resident killer whales beginning June 1st.

The federal government says the investment builds on whale protection programs launched in 2018 and is aimed at helping preserve some of Canada’s most vulnerable whale species, including Southern Resident killer whales, North Atlantic right whales, and St. Lawrence belugas.

To learn more, visit Government of Canada.