June is Orca Action Month, helping to raise awareness of the threats to the Pacific Northwest’s endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs). Most of us know that they are struggling, but do you know what you can do to help?
Read on to get inspired and decide where YOU can jump in to help - not just this month - but all year long!
1. Preserve Chinook (“King”) Salmon Populations
We know that Southern Resident killer whales primarily eat Chinook (aka King) salmon, but identifying specific salmon stocks that are most critical to their food supply has been challenging in the past. Now, research from SR³ and colleagues has linked changes in SRKW body condition to the abundance of specific salmon populations in different areas!
For the whales in J pod, their body condition in late summer is linked to the abundance of Chinook salmon returning to the Fraser River in the preceding summer months. L pod whales’ body condition is connected to how many Chinook salmon are returning to the Puget Sound in the summer. For K pod, it’s likely that their summer diet comes from a variety of Chinook populations, since their body condition didn’t correlate with salmon abundance from any specific area or tributary.
One of the biggest threats the SRKWs are currently facing is limited access to their preferred prey, Chinook (aka King) salmon. When Chinook salmon populations increase in abundance, so does the likelihood of healthy SRKWs.
The simplest way you can help is to make sure your seafood choices aren’t depleting their food supply!
Want to take it a step further? Healthy streams are critical to healthy salmon populations, and your choices at home impact local waters more than you might think. More than 60 percent of water pollution actually comes from small, dispersed sources like fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and gardens, cars leaking oil, and pet waste.
When you wash your car in your driveway - rather than at a commercial car wash - the soapy water that enters your storm drain is flowing directly into local creeks and streams. Most soaps contain phosphates and other chemicals that harm fish and water quality.
By reducing your impact on local watersheds, you can help provide a healthy habitat for the salmon that SRKWs need to survive.
2. Give Whales Space
Aerial image of an adult female Southern Resident killer whale, successfully foraging alongside her juvenile offspring. Image collected by Holly Fearnbach and John Durban, from SR³ and NOAA, respectively, using a drone that was flown non-invasively >100ft above the whales under NMFS permit #19091.
Studies have shown that boats and ships can cause disturbance, particularly by creating noise that impacts killer whales’ ability to navigate, communicate, and most importantly, find food.
There are many beautiful spots along the Washington coastline where you’re likely to spot whales from shore! Visit The Whale Trail for an interactive map and loads of information about viewing marine mammals throughout the Salish Sea and along the Pacific Coast.
If you do head out on the water, please remember that boats in Washington State are required to slow their engine speed to less than seven knots if within a half-mile of Southern Resident killer whales. Regardless of your speed, laws also require that you stay at least 400 yards away from their path (when in front or behind them) and 300 yards away if on either side of them. Visit the “be whale wise” website for more information.
3. Reduce Your Plastic Footprint
From laundry detergent sheets to shampoo bars and deodorant in cardboard containers, the options for eco-friendly products are constantly expanding.
Plastic debris is one of the biggest threats to the marine ecosystem today. Not only does it pose life-threatening risks to animals who become entangled in it, but as it breaks down, the microplastics it leaves behind are being ingested and carried up the food chain. This is significant because plastic contains chemical additives and contaminants that can be harmful to marine life, even at very low concentrations. For animals at the top of the food chain, such as killer whales, microplastics and their toxic effects are likely bioaccumulating in their systems.
Cut down on plastic waste by refusing it wherever you can. And vote with your dollars by purchasing products that avoid plastic packaging!
Feeling inspired? Join SR³’s team for the Plastic Free Ecochallenge, a 31-day, global challenge to reduce and refuse single-use plastics beginning on July 1!
Remember, you are not just one alone, but together we are a whole community of ocean heroes. As we each take small, thoughtful steps in our daily lives, it WILL have a ripple effect that goes well beyond our own front doors.
Together we can create a safer and healthier home for killer whales - and for all of us!