Skagit Central to Orca Whale and Puget Sound Chinook Recovery By Richard Brocksmith, Executive Director Skagit Watershed Council Many people in the Pacific Northwest have either grown up with, or have come to love, our Orca whales. They live alongside us in Puget Sound; they have strong, mother-led family groups who teach their young how to survive in the wide world; and their intellectual capacity and curiosity, maybe even feelings, have captured our imagination. Most folks know our local Orca whales are in very serious trouble and might not survive much longer without significant changes from our human society. A few background facts that are important: • Orca whale family groups or “pods” live in every ocean in the world, but three pods (named J, K, and L) have evolved to become their own species in Puget Sound. They are known as “Southern Residents.” • These Southern Residents eat only salmon, unlike the “transient” pods that eat marine mammals such as seals and sea lions. • The salmon-eating Southern Residents have seen a population decline over the last 25 years, dropping from a high of 98 whales to a low of 73 whales. This decline caused the federal government to list them as endangered with extinction under the Endangered Species Act.
Spyhopping in the Salish Sea. • The recent decline is blamed first and foremost on the dramatic decrease in their preferred prey, Chinook salmon, but also due to increases in water-borne contaminants and boat noise. Southern Residents prefer Chinook salmon at least 80% of the time (with chum and other salmon making up the balance) because of that salmon’s larger size, fat content, return timing, and the fact that some of them choose to reside in Puget Sound instead of going out to the Northern Pacific Ocean.
“The river is alive. It is an essential part of our lives. When it is vibrant and healthy, our well being is preserved. We must heal and protect this precious resource, not just for our own tribal treaty rights, but because it’s a wise and respectful thing to do for everyone who lives here.” 4 Skagit River Salmon Festival 2019
1932384
Skagit Publishing
goskagit.com
