Southern Resident Killer Whale Symposium

October 10-12, 2017
Vancouver, British Columbia

What We Heard Report

CLOSING REMARKS

Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Trevor Swerdfager, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Key Messages

The Government of Canada is firmly committed to recovering and protecting the SRKW and all whales. The spirit of the symposium and the clear desire to work together to solve the issues is very much appreciated. Senior leadership in the Government of Canada has taken note and we are ready to work together. We must find ways to continue to coordinate, collaborate, and share so that we can restore the SRKW population. We want to create a marine environment that we are proud of and that our great, great grandchildren will enjoy.

“As the current environmental stewards of our oceans, we need to collectively do more to protect these iconic marine mammals and stop their dangerous decline before it’s too late and cannot be reversed. The good news is that we are addressing this issue in an era that is defined by major investments in oceans science, an influx of marine technologies and a genuine spirit of collaboration. Regardless of what sector you work in, the people in this room represent some of the brightest minds in our oceans community. You also demonstrate a willingness to help this endangered species overcome the challenges they face so people and whales can once again live in harmony. I hope you agree that it has been a valuable opportunity to learn from one another, share our expertise and influence public policy. I look forward to working together in the months and years ahead and seeing what can be achieved when like-minded individuals join forces for a greater good.”