Long term, what the southern residents need are fish, fish, and more fish.”

Erin Gless, Executive Director of Pacific Whale Watch Association

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued an emergency order last week requiring commercial whale-watching vessels to keep at least half a nautical mile away from endangered southern resident orcas this summer.

Data from whale research organizations has indicated poor body condition for numerous killer whales in the Puget Sound, along with several pregnancies reported among the southern resident orcas.

Using measurements from drone photographs, researchers from SR3 (Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research) identified multiple 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 Kelly Susewind, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife director. “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.”

SOUTHERN RESIDENTS IN DANGER

Southern resident killer whales were listed as an endangered species in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency and the orca subgroup’s population has dwindled over the past few decades due to the decrease in the amount of Chinook salmon, the whales’ preferred food source, vessel noise disturbances; habitat loss and degradation; climate change; and other factors.

Executive director Erin Gless of the Pacific Whale Watch Association discussed the concerning situation of the southern resident killer whales in an email correspondence with The Leader.

“The Pacific Whale Watch Association is saddened to hear that so many southern residents have been determined by Washington Department of Fish and Widllife to be in poor physical condition and that they continue to face food shortages tied to the scarcity of Chinook salmon in the area,” Gless said.

“Our operators take great care to act as sentinels for the southern residents on the rare occasions we do see them on the water, alerting other vessels of their presence and modeling appropriate behavior.”

Gless said the decreasing salmon populations in Western Washington has had a massive impact on endangered orcas.

STRENUOUS SOLUTIONS

“Long term, what the southern residents need are fish, fish, and more fish,” Gless said. “Until salmon, especially Chinook salmon, are again available in necessary quantities to sustain these whales, their condition will not improve.”

“While the emergency rule applies only to licensed whale watch vessels, all boaters should give the southern residents on WDFW’s vulnerable list extra space,” she added.

According to SR3 photogrammetry research, three K-pod southern residents are likely to have given birth recently, with officials noting that at least one of these pregnancies was successful.

The whale research group also noted that 12 J-pod 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.

Also, SR3’s data has identified two young whales, J53 (Kiki) and L123 (Lazuli), that were exhibiting slower-than-expected growth.

The Center for Whale Research’s December 2021 census recorded the southern resident population at just 73 orcas, although researchers are hopeful that the birth of J59 in early 2022, reports of a birth in the K-pod this May, and the pregnancies identified in SR3’s analysis will help the population number grow.

EMERGENCY ORDER

The Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted an emergency rule June 30 that designates the whales in poor body condition along with orcas in the late stages of pregnancy as “vulnerable,” mandating that Puget Sound’s commercial boaters offer further space and extra protection to the killer whales and don’t go within half a nautical mile of the sea creatures.

The new restrictions go into effect ahead of the July-September season when commercial viewing of southern resident orcas is otherwise permitted daily during certain hours.

The designation doesn’t affect commercial whale watching of other healthier populations like Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, gray whales, or any other whale species in the area.

Non-commercial boaters are encouraged to adhere to guidance from Be Whale Wise, a governmental partnership between Washington state and British Columbia governments, nonprofits, and stakeholders, to keep from disturbing the whales.

A key finding from research that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published in 2021 indicated the effects of vessel noise are especially prominent for female orcas, which often cease foraging when boats approach within 400 yards. Research shows this tendency to stop foraging when boats are nearby may be most concerning for pregnant or nursing mothers that need to find more food to support calves.

“Research has shown that it is speed, not distance, that most influences how much underwater sound is generated underwater near whales,” Gless said. “Boats moving quickly are much louder than boats traveling slowly, even if they are farther away from the whales.”

Recreational boaters are strongly encouraged to follow increased restrictions from the Department of Fish and Wildlife as well, and to give the orcas a half-nautical mile of space when possible.

Washington law requires vessels to stay at least 300 yards from southern resident killer whales and at least 400 yards out of the path in front of and behind the whales. Vessels must also reduce their speed to seven knots within one-half nautical mile of southern residents.

“We urge everyone to ‘Be Whale Wise’ and give orcas as much space as possible — especially if you are unsure whether one of these vulnerable individuals may be present — to allow this endangered population a chance to recover,” said Julie Watson of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Boaters are encouraged to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, an optional tool from the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, that lets others know when there might be whales nearby.

If boaters see the flag, they should slow down and continue to follow Be Whale Wise regulations.

For more details and information about steps recreational boaters can take to keep the whales and themselves safe, visit bewhalewise.org.