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[table via http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov] |
[about][9]
The Southern Resident
Killer Whales are an extended clan of orcas that call the vast waters of the
Pacific Northwest home. In this region,
orcas are categorized into three groups – resident, transient, and off-shore –
depending on where they spend most of their time and their primary food source. The Southern Resident population resides
along the coastlines of Washington, Oregon, and California and feeds
primarily on fish.
Although orcas
can be found in oceans around the world, once they find a suitable habitat,
there is little to no migration. During spring, summer and fall, the
Southern Resident killer whales can be found in the Salish Sea (the inland
waters of Washington state and Canada). However, during the winter months, they can be spotted as far south as central California or as far north as Southeast Alaska.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Vh-rfG4rWo/WDpWsg3CA6I/AAAAAAAAASg/UnA-KQW0tvcAsh16yLvljhTwTDjFqLPQACLcB/s640/Untitled.png)
[population changes][12]
Over the past hundred years, the Southern Resident population has
fluctuated in numbers. In the late 1800s, the population was estimated at
around 200 whales. However, after nearly 50 whales were captured for
marine exhibits in the 1960s, only 71 orcas remained. While the population
was able to grow some during the next few decades, it experienced a nearly 20
percent decline from 1996 to 2001 causing it to be listed as endangered under the Endangered Species
Act (ESA) in 2005.
Although the
exact cause of the population’s decline over recent decades is uncertain,
researchers have identified the three leading threats to their continued survival.
1. Prey Availability
A scarce supply of
the orca’s main prey – Chinook salmon – is a top threat to the Southern
Resident population. Overfishing and habitat destruction caused by humans
have diminished salmon numbers in the Pacific Northwest. With less salmon available, the whales need
to travel farther to find food, leaving less time (and energy) for socializing,
reproducing, etc.
Another major concern is pollution.
Many chemical pollutants accumulate as they move up the food chain,
causing orcas (which are apex predators), to have significantly higher toxin
levels in their bodies. Research has
proven that the Southern Resident orcas are among the most contaminated marine animals on Earth. In addition to chemical pollution, physical
pollutants such as garbage, plastics, aluminum, and glass, can be just as
harmful to killer whales.
From enormous
cargo ships to small whale watching boats, the Southern Resident orcas are constantly
battling the effects of vessel traffic. Research has shown that when
vessels are present, the whales not only hunt less and travel more, but also
modify their vocalizations and communication due to interference from vessel
noise.
A final recovery plan for the
Southern Resident killer whales was issued in 2008 addressing the major
concerns to the population and offering potential solutions. The ultimate goal of the recovery plan is to restore the population to a point where they no longer need protection from the ESA.
Prey Availability Recovery
Strategy:
· Implement and support salmon restoration
efforts to rebuild depleted populations.
Pollution Recovery Strategy:
· Clean up existing contaminated areas and
monitor/minimize the future amount of harmful contaminants released.
Vessel
Effects and Noise Recovery
Strategy:
· Regulations and guidelines for vessel
activity to protect whales from effects and noise.
Other Recovery Strategies:
· Designation of more than 2,500 square miles
of critical habitat
· Continue monitoring and conducting research
to enhance conservation efforts
· Oil spill response plans
· Increase public
awareness and education of ways they can help
[what
can you do?][4]
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Use reusable bags, water bottles, and
mugs
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Over 100,000 marine animals die
every year from getting entangled in or ingesting plastic items. By using reusable items, you can prevent as
many as 1,000 plastic bags or bottles from entering our oceans!
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Switch
to non-toxic alternative indoor and outdoor household products
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Most
of the chemicals you use on daily basis end up in the ocean. Run off from fertilizers, pesticides,
detergents and soap are all examples of how contaminants can end up in marine
environments.
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By
adopting a Southern Resident orca, you not only receive a personalized
adoption certificate, an individualized biography of your whale, and monthly
photos and updates, but you are also supporting the ongoing research and
education to help save these magnificent creatures.
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Any
donation to the Orca Conservancy will go directly towards supporting research
and projects dedicated solely to the recovery of the Southern Resident killer
whales. Every penny counts!
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[other resources]
General Info
Peer-Reviewed
Publications
Relevant
Documents
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Works
Cited
[1] "Adopt An Orca." The Whale Museum. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[2] Bain, David E., Jodi C. Smith, and Rob Williams. EFFECTS
OF VESSELS ON BEHAVIOR OF SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES (ORCINUS SPP.). Tech.
Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 4 Mar. 2006. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.
[3] Burnett, Emily. "Orcinus Orca." Animal
Diversity Web. The University of Michigan, 2009. Web. 21 Nov. 2016.
[4] "How To Help In Daily Life: What Can You
Do?" Orca Conservancy. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[5] "Issues Affecting The Orcas." The Whale
Museum. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[6] "Killer Whale." SeaWorld Parks &
Entertainment. Web. 26 Nov. 2016.
[7] "Killer Whale (Orcinus Orca) :: NOAA
Fisheries." NOAA Fisheries. 10 Feb. 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[8] National Marine Fisheries Service. 2008. Recovery
Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca). National Marine
Fisheries Service, Northwest Region, Seattle, Washington. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[9] Ruther, Elizabeth. "For the Love of Orcas."
Defenders of Wildlife Blog. 15 July 2015. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[10] "Save Orcas." The Whaleman Foundation. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[11] "Southern Resident Killer Whales." Center
for Whale Research. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[12] "Southern Resident Killer Whales." US
Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 20 Nov. 2016.
[13]
Taylor, B.L., Baird,
R., Barlow, J., Dawson, S.M., Ford, J., Mead, J.G., Notarbartolo di Sciara, G.,
Wade, P. & Pitman, R.L. 2013. Orcinus orca. The IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species 2013: e.T15421A44220470. 20 Nov. 2016.
The content of your blog is very clearly articulated, and I love the format and graphics within the work. They explicitly outline the threats to Orca, and add an informative and visually appealing portion to the blog that makes it much easier to understand and read. Nice job! Commented on by: Hannah Levin
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I love the design and layout of your blog, it's very eye-catching and each picture and heading lead you down the blog and makes it more intriguing. I think it would be interesting if you included the studies and argument for the release of entertainment species back into the wild (Sea World). It is so sad to see such a beautiful species dying out.
ReplyDelete~Macie Matthews