The Southern Resident Killer Whales - Calli McKenna

[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.  

Not only are they listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but the US National Marine Fisheries Service highlighted the Southern Resident population as one of the eight most at risk species of extinction in the near future.

[habitat][7],[11]

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.

[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.  

[main threats][5]

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.

2.   Pollution [13] 

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.  

2.   Vessel Effects and Noise [2] 

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.

           

[recovery plan][8]

     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]
Use reusable bags, water bottles, and mugs	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!
Switch to non-toxic alternative indoor and outdoor household products	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.
Adopt an Orca!	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.
Donate	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!

[other resources] 

General Info

NOAA Fisheries – Killer Whale

Killer Whale InfoBook

Center for Whale Research

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Linking killer whale survival and prey abundance: food limitation in the oceans’ apex predator?

Effects of age, sex and reproductive status on persistent organic pollutant concentrations in “Southern Resident” killer whales.

Vessel traffic disrupts theforaging behavior of southern resident killer whales.

The social dynamics of southernresident killer whales and conservation implications for this endangeredpopulation.

Relevant Documents

Southern Resident Killer Whale Spotlight Species 5-Year Action Plan (2016)

Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) (2008)

Designation of Critical Habitat for Southern Resident Killer Whale (2006)

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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.