WHALES: State issues emergency rules to give resident orcas more space

Images like those from SR3 researchers have led the state to order emergency rules requiring whale-watching boats to give Southern Resident Killer Whales more space. The state’s announcement today explains the latest concerns about the endangered orcas:

With numerous whales in poor body condition and several pregnancies reported, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today issued an emergency order requiring commercial whale-watching vessels to keep at least one-half nautical mile away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales this summer, and all boaters are urged to Be Whale Wise and do the same.

Using measurements from drone photographs, researchers from SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research identified several pregnancies among the Southern Resident killer whale population and a dozen members in poor condition between September 2021 and April 2022.

“While we have reason to remain hopeful with the reports of recent pregnancies, the reality is that there are several Southern Residents that aren’t doing well and we’re very concerned about the population at large,” said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. “We’re taking action today to address these immediate concerns, and we continue working with our partner organizations to implement the Governor’s Task Force recommendations for the long-term health of these orcas.”

According to SR3’s measurements from aerial images, three K-pod whales (K12, K20, and K27) were in the last nine months of pregnancy, and likely within the last six months (from a typical full term of 17-18 months), as of September 2021. Based on recent online videos showing a calf with K pod, it is likely that at least one of these pregnancies was successful. Another whale, L72, was determined to be in the last six months of pregnancy as of January 2021, and we expect this whale is still in late-stage pregnancy. These females had body widths consistent with those of females who subsequently gave birth in the past.

Twelve J- and L-pod members were in poor condition based on measurements of the fatness behind the skull, which puts them at a two-to-three-times higher risk of mortality. Concerningly, one of the dozen whales in poor condition (L83) also appeared to be pregnant when last measured in January 2022.

In addition to the pregnancies and orcas in poor body condition, SR3’s results identified two young whales (J53 and L123) that were exhibiting slower-than-expected growth, which is measured by length. One of these (J53) is also exhibiting lower-than-average body condition. …

Read the full state announcement here.

Marianne June 30, 2022 (9:02 pm)

This is great news. I hope it is enough to help these struggling whales.

Karen July 2, 2022 (9:25 pm)

If that’s what they need by all means give it to them they should have a much space as they need period I think

miws June 30, 2022 (9:10 pm)

If the whale-watching boat operators refuse to keep the proper distance, the industry needs to be shutdown… —miws

West Seattle-ite July 1, 2022 (11:16 am)

The commercial whale watching boat operators are actually good about distance–as well as acting as a sounding alarm for other vessels in the vicinity. Many if not most of the operations pride themselves on providing notice of whales in the vicinity and keeping proper distance. That’s been noted ad-nauseum during legislative hearings.
- Oakley34 July 1, 2022 (11:59 am)
  
  Witnessed the contrary with my own eyes off Duwamish Head not too long ago. These changes are welcome.

Herongrrrl June 30, 2022 (9:41 pm)

Gosh it would be great if we could have adequate enforcement and make this apply to ALL vessels. It just means now clueless powerboats will run over the whales without consequence (as anyone who watches the SRKW from the west side of San Juan Island).Maybe we should also be focusing on restoring salmon, but hey, that’s hard, never mind.

anonyme July 1, 2022 (10:07 am)

Your cynicism is justified. As far as I know, there is no law regulating how many vessels can be on the water at any given moment either. There are so many factors that contribute to the decline of this (and other) beloved species, and none of them are taken very seriously. I also have concerns (and not just for the whales) about the number of pollutants in our waters, including the hundreds, if not thousands, of pharmaceutical drugs that are flushed down toilets in one form or another. I also agree with Mike about whale-watching tours, but would go one step further and remove the “if”; just shut them down, now. I’m tired of the attitude that nothing can be done to correct a serious problem, including sure extinction, as long as some human is making a buck off of it.
- Donna, The Whale Trail July 2, 2022 (6:20 pm)
  
  Anonyme – this is one area where we *have* taken meaningful action to protect the southern residents. The licensing program for commercial whale-watchers is the direct outcome of a 3-yr public process that began on the Governor’s Task Force.
  
  WDFW now has the authority to set limits on the number of commercial boats around the southern residents, the time they can be with them and how far away they must stay. They can also issue emergency rules to protect vulnerable individuals as described in this release.
  
  When the southern residents return to the Salish Sea it is quieter, and they have more space to forage, and rest, and tend their young. Together we have made a tangible difference in the lives of these struggling pods. That should give us hope, and encourage us to keep going.
  
  We still need a solution for recreational boaters. Current laws and guidelines are not enough. Boaters are still allowed to view SRKW at a distance of 300 yards, despite studies that show that female southern resident orcas stop foraging when boats approach closer than 400 yards (Holt et al 2021).
  
  Boaters, take the pledge at givethemspace.org and commit to staying 1/2 nautical mile away from the southern residents. Encourage boaters you know (including kayakers and paddleboarders) to take the pledge too. It can take an orca 15 minutes to catch a salmon. Any interruption can cost the whales a meal, and their future.
  
  The threats facing the orcas are interconnected, each worsening the other. Turning down the volume in the Salish Sea is something we can do right now – and we have. A sea change is underway, against great odds. Help us defend the progress we have made, and keep going.
REAL MORRISSETTE July 2, 2022 (12:36 pm)

In Québec, beluga in the Saguenay fjord were also in danger. New laws and new regulations have greatly helped to fix the problem.

4oms June 30, 2022 (10:27 pm)

Here is something simple everyone here can do to help today, click the link to follow below and submit your comment in support of lower Snake River dams removal. Thank you!

‘A public comment period is open now through July 11 – and Sen. Murray and Gov. Inslee need to hear from you! This 30-day comment period provides a critical opportunity to express appreciation for their leadership and strong support for bold, urgent action to protect salmon from extinction. We expect a final report in mid-July and a roadmap for salmon recovery – including a decision on whether to remove the dams – by the end of July.’

D Bog July 1, 2022 (4:08 pm)

If u really want to save the salmon, we need to stop commercial fishing, tribal and non tribal which has raped the waters of PNW for years. Long liners and gill netters do not discriminate. The governor and his cronies will not address this matter. The tribes r the ones who funded Inslee’s bid for Pres.

4 oms June 30, 2022 (10:29 pm)

https://saveourwildsalmon.salsalabs.org/MIDraftReportCommentEmail/index.html

wssz July 1, 2022 (2:09 am)

Thank you for the link. Signed!

The King July 1, 2022 (5:10 am)

Between the state’s culverts blocking salmon spawning paths and the drugs pouring into the sound which nobody wants to acknowledge, the whales don’t have as much to eat. Eight years ago young salmon were testing positive with over 80 types of drugs.Drugs are basically killing our city and sealife. We’re running around sweeping the drug problem under a thin layer of gravel. I can’t imagine what the soil samples around here must look like. It gives you chills to think about how gross it all is.

Rocket July 1, 2022 (8:49 am)

Give the tribes back total control of the rivers. Let the North Fork Skokomish, Skagit, and Snake rivers return to their wild state. Clearly our way of life is unsustainable and buckling under its own weight. Save the salmon and thus the inland forests and also thus the resident orca before it’s too late.

NickH July 1, 2022 (10:59 am)

Thanks to well-timed Facebook posts last night, many of us were enjoying watching some Bigg’s Orcas traveling south from Shoreline south through Golden Gardens, and past Discovery park. Apparently Biggs don’t need much protection? Most vessels seemed to stay away, except for Kitsap’s MV Finest which buzzed em at 28 knots.

Donna, The Whale Trail July 3, 2022 (12:33 pm)

Hi NickH – Bigg’s orcas aren’t subject to the same distance requirements as southern residents. However federal guidelines are that boaters should stay 100 years away from any marine mammal.

If you see a boater coming too close or otherwise endangering any marine mammal, please report it to the NOAA hotline at 1-800-853-1964 or info@bewhalewise.org.

Also please share your sightings with the app Whale Report, so large vessel operators are made aware of the whales’ presence. It’s a simple and effective way to help protect orcas or any whales you are watching. The app is free and downloadable from the App store or Google Play. Thank you –

Rick July 1, 2022 (7:20 pm)

Just like guns, ban all boats and you’ll save the whales.

raywest July 4, 2022 (8:08 am)

It will take more than banning boats. Declining salmon populations and pollution are as threatening to orcas as vessels.