HELP THE ORCAS

The Southern Resident orcas were listed as an endangered species in 2005 due to the decline of this small, genetically unique population of orcas. Currently, the population contains 73 individuals.

Threats to these orcas' survival include low Chinook/King salmon availability, man-made toxins, and vessel disturbance. Here are some tips on what we can do to help the orcas.

       
PROTECT THEIR FOOD SOURCE, SALMON

The Southern Resident orcas that are alive today need Chinook tomorrow so both short term and long term efforts must be taken now to support their survival in the future.

• ACTION ALERT: the Pacific Fishery Management Council's public comment period is open between July 30th and September 4th, 2019. Comment on item "F3" and ask them to give the Southern Resident orcas an allocation at the salmon table. "The vast majority of Chinook salmon are caught by commercial fishermen before the whales even have a shot at sharing in the resource. Fisheries managers establish a “total allowable catch” each year, and currently the entire catch is designated for human consumption--with nothing allocated for whales". - Wild Orca
• Support the restoration of the Fraser River Chinook runs. The Fraser River is an extremely important source of salmon for the Southern Residents when they are in the inland waters and the amount of time the orcas spend in the inland waters is correlated with how to the Fraser Chinook runs are faring.
• Support the removal of the Snake Rivers dams. Visit Southern Resident Killer Whale Chinook Salmon Initiative.
• Consider eating less Chinook salmon. Some runs are endangered or threatened.
• If fishing for salmon, consider catch and release for larger brood stock.
• Use the Seafood Watch guide. It helps you find sustainable seafood wherever you live or travel.
• Support banning Atlantic farmed salmon in Canada. The introduction of non-native diseases and parasites from the Atlantic farmed salmon are killing the native salmon and forage fish. Visit Alexandra Morton's website for more information.
• Support habitat restoration of forage fish (prey to salmon). Shore armoring reduces spawning habitat for forage fish.
• Join a local habitat restoration event in your area.
• Visit the Center for Whale Research's page on salmon and orcas for an in depth look at how the salmon and orcas are connected.

REDUCE TOXINS

• Avoid the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers.
• Consider buying local organic produce.
• Consider using environmentally friendly cleaning products, favoring natural over man-made ingredients.
  
• Build a rain garden to help filter runoff.
  

• If you see an oil sheen in the waters around the San Juan Islands, call the San Juan County Sheriff as soon as possible at (360) 378-4151.

BE WHALE WISE

• If you would like to watch the orcas from shore to cut down on vessel traffic, check out The Whale Trail for shore based whale watching locations.
• If you would like to see orcas from a whale watching boat, choose an operator who is part of the U.S./Canadian Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest.
• If you are watching orcas from a private boat or kayak, follow the Be Whale Wise guidelines.
• If you find a stranded marine mammal (dead or alive), call the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network right away at 1-800-562-8832.

SUPPORT/JOIN ORGANIZATIONS

• Become a Center For Whale Research member or make a donation.
• Support Save Our Wild Salmon in their work to restore wild salmon.
• Support the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group in their habitat restoration projects.
• Are you a certified marine naturalist? Join the Salish Sea Association of Marine Naturalists (SSAMN).

The Southern Resident orcas need abundant Chinook/King salmon to thrive.

Let's make sure future generations of Southern Resident orcas live as long as Granny J2 did.

Southern Resident orca survivability, reproduction, social connectivity, and presence in the island waters are all correlated with salmon abundance. Unfortunately, the Southern Residents are now a rare sight.

Transient orcas are thriving because their marine mammal prey is currently abundant. Transients can now be found in the inland waters year round.

Unlike the Southern Residents, the Transient orca population is growing at an annual rate of 4%. Photo taken aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions.

Transient orcas will continue to thrive as along as their marine mammal prey is abundant. Photo of T99D feeding on a harbor seal taken aboard the Odyssey of San Juan Excursions.

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