Want to check on the progress of Southern Resident orcas? A new website helps you do it
A website that tracks Southern Resident orca recovery efforts was announced Tuesday, just in time for Orca Action Month starting in June.
The website was created by the Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, the press release noted. That agency was established in the Salmon Recovery Planning Act by the Legislature.
The Governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force has 49 recommendations, and information about how those are being implemented can be found on the website. The task force was formed in 2018 through Gov. Jay Inslee’s Executive Order 18-02, and is intended to give state agencies recommendations to recover orcas.
After two years of work, the task force came up with those recommendations including: limiting vessel disturbance, pollution reduction, and finding ways to increase the Chinook salmon supply.
Decreased prey, organic pollutants, and disturbances caused by boats are most likely the three main threats to Southern Resident orcas, according to the Marine Mammal Commission.
“It’s important that we save Southern Resident orcas. They are an iconic and treasured species in Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. They hold significant cultural value to native tribes and all Washingtonians,” said Inslee in the press release.
Only 74 Southern Resident orcas are left, which the website said is the lowest number in 30 years. The task force has a goal of 86 orcas by 2030.
In March, a new Southern Resident orca calf was born into the J Pod for the first time in two years.
The website also includes general information about orcas and school curriculum ideas, the statement added.
