13 Southern Resident Orcas Declared Vulnerable

OLYMPIA, WA — Ahead of Independence Day weekend, state wildlife officials have issued an emergency order requiring whale-watching vessels to keep at least a half-mile from Southern Resident orcas after 13 were deemed vulnerable.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued the order Thursday after examining drone photos that showed several pregnancies and at least a dozen killer whales that appeared to be in poor condition.

“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 the WDFW, aerial images showed three members of the K pod were pregnant last September, and recent videos appear to confirm at least one calf was successfully born. Officials also believe another orca in the L pod is in the final stages of pregnancy.

Analysis of other photos showed a dozen members of the J and L pods in poor condition, which wildlife officials determined based on far behind the skull, which classifies the whales as having an up to three times higher risk of death. One of the 12 whales also appeared to be pregnant in January, and two younger orcas showed slower growth than expected.

“Our non-invasive photogrammetry research can identify whales in poor health that have a higher risk of death in the subsequent months, and our aim is to identify these vulnerable whales before their condition becomes terminal,” said Dr. Holly Fearnbach, marine mammal research director with SR3. “Similarly, we can identify females in the latter stages of pregnancy, which is an important but fragile time for successful reproduction."

The emergency order prohibits commercial whale-watching vessels from coming within a half-nautical mile "bubble" around the Southern Residents during the peak viewing season of July through September. The rules do not affect whale-watching for healthier populations, including Bigg's killer whales, humpback whales and gray whales, which are viewable year-round.

“Whale-watching operators are often the first to spot and identify Southern Residents when they’re present in the Salish Sea,” said Erin Gless, executive director with the Pacific Whale Watch Association. “Our operators will be working closely with WDFW officers to communicate Southern Resident sightings whenever they’re spotted, while still giving them plenty of space.”

July also marks the beginning of the U.S. Coast Guard's "Operation Be Whale Wise," which works with partner agencies to educate the public and boating community about the rules and enforce buffer zones and other requirements to protect Southern Resident orcas in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

"This species of whale is a distinct population of orcas that are genetically unique from their transient counterparts," the Coast Guard wrote Friday. "They have evolved to feed on fish instead of mammals. SRKW continue to be a critically endangered species with only 75 members remaining as of February 2021. It is important to keep our marine friends safe from preventable mishaps."

Federal rules prohibit boats from coming within 200 yards of killer whales or stopping in their path, while state laws enacted in 2019 require vessels to remain 300 yards away from either side of an orca, and at least 400 yards ahead or behind them. Vessels traveling near orcas also must keep their speed below seven knots.

Here are more "Be Whale Wise" reminders from the U.S. Coast Guard:

• Keep your distance: Do not approach or get too close to marine life and stay 0.5 nautical miles away. Look in all directions before planning your approach to view wildlife. Slow down and reduce your speed to less than 7 knots when within a half mile of the nearest marine mammal to reduce your engine's noise and vessel's wake.
• Pay Attention: Be vigilant for marine mammal presence. Whales may change directions or surface unpredictably. Move away slowly and cautiously at the first sign of a disturbance or agitation.
• Be mindful of your vessel: Place engine in neutral or shutdown and allow the animals to pass if your vessel is not in compliance with regulations. If it's safe to do so, also turn off your fish finder and echo sounders.
• Be courteous: Stay on the offshore side of whales when they are traveling close to shore. Always avoid going through groups of porpoises or dolphins. Hold course and reduce speed gradually to discourage bow or stern-riding.
• Report whale sightings: The WhaleReport App helps mariners and members of the public practice citizen science by providing a user-friendly tool directly on their tablet or smart phone that displays whale "safety zones." The app also allows the user to report any live, dead, or distressed whale sightings to the appropriate response agency.