Dear Stakeholders and other interested parties: Re: Draft North Pacific Right Whale Recovery Strategy Regional Consultations Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is pleased to inform you that the 2010 updated draft Recovery Strategy for the North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) is now undergoing regional consultations. There will be an additional chance to comment during the national consultation period (hosted on the SARA Registry) that will follow. We look forward to your comments. 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), and appreciates your input. North Pacific right whales appear to represent an extreme example of the inability of whale stocks to recover from severe depletion. The last confirmed right whale sighting that may have either been in BC waters, or just outside, was in 1970. As a result, there is very little known about the abundance and distribution of these baleen whales. The initial short-term objective is the confirmation of right whale presence in Pacific Canadian waters. If you would like to know more about North Pacific right whales and how their recovery may affect you, or if you would like to submit comments on the draft recovery strategy via the DFO Regional SARA Consultation webpage, please see http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/sara-lep/index-eng.htm. The draft recovery strategy will be available for comment until February 21, 2010. Alternatively, please use the contact details below to request a hardcopy, and one will sent to you by mail. Sincerely, Robyn Kenyon A/ SARA Marine Mammal Recovery Biologist Fisheries and Oceans Canada 200-401 Burrard St. Vancouver, BC V6C 3S4 Tel: (604) 666-4775 Fax: (604) 666-3341 sara@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca