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American website dives into southern resident killer whale recovery progress

Washington state looks to include people in boosting endangered whale population
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Washinton state has launched a website to get more people involved in the recovery of southern resident killer whales. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Wise)

The government across the way from Vancouver Island has launched a new website to track the recovery of southern resident killer whales.

follows Washington statesa国际传媒檚 progress on 49 recovery recommendations made by its southern resident killer whale task force.

Two years of work went into crafting those 49 proposals, which centre around increasing the orcassa国际传媒 food supply, decreasing disturbance by boats, reducing pollution and addressing impacts from climate change and human population growth. Visitors to the website can see whether each recommendation is underway, inactive or has been completed.

The online resource pulls from a long list of studies and experts to give readers everything they need to know about southern resident killer whales. It then lays out how the whales are being impacted by declining chinook salmon stocks, boat and sonar noise, oil spills, acidifying oceans and the consequences of a warming climate shifting normal snowmelt patterns.

sa国际传媒淲ith fewer salmon to eat, southern residents are hungry. As they lose weight, they process more of the metals and toxins stored in their bodies, which increases their chances of disease and neurological problems,sa国际传媒 according to the website. sa国际传媒淢ore acidic ocean water spreads out underwater noise making it harder for orcas to find food.sa国际传媒

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The site aims to bring attention to the southern resident population being at its lowest level in more than 30 years. Washington state is aiming to increase the number of whales by 10 in the next decade.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 important that we save southern resident orcas,sa国际传媒 said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. sa国际传媒淚f they go extinct, we would suffer an unacceptable loss to our environment, economy and culture. These animals have been sacred to countless generations of people residing here.sa国际传媒

Among the many partners involved in the recovery efforts are the Canadian groups: Georgia Strait Alliance, Marine Education and Research Society, and Straitwatch.

The website () includes a link that lets users listen to live hydrophones (underwater microphones), including ones right across from Greater Victoria, that are trying to record orca calls, clicks and whistles.

Another section gives citizens ways they can get involved in the whale .

READ: Transport Canada introduces added measures to protect southern resident killer whales


jake.romphf@blackpress.ca. Follow us on Instagram. Like us on and follow us on


About the Author: Jake Romphf

In early 2021, I made the move from the Great Lakes to Greater Victoria with the aim of experiencing more of the country I report on.
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