Tag Archives: Southern Resident Killer Whales

Animals, Rivers & Oceans

Number of marine species at risk in Salish Sea more than doubled, report says

A recent report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states “the total number of marine species at risk in the Salish Sea has doubled from 2002 to 2015.” 

The accompanying map shows they are referring to an area that stretches from the Puget Sound to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and north beyond  Cortes and Quadra Islands. Christianne Wilhelmsen executive director of the Georgia Strait Alliance, explained this is because the EPA thinks of the Salish Sea as whole entity, rather than dividing it between two nations. While a few of the entries are American, most of the species listed are accompanied by terms like ‘COSEWIC‘, ‘B.C.’ and ‘Canada,’ which shows they come from Canadian sources.

Continue reading Number of marine species at risk in Salish Sea more than doubled, report says →
Rivers & Oceans

Southern resident killer whales are not starving due to lack of BC chinook, study finds

The widespread belief that at-risk southern resident killer whales are starving due to a lack of chinook salmon has been debunked. 

Continue reading Southern resident killer whales are not starving due to lack of BC chinook, study finds →
Arts, Rivers & Oceans

Documentary dives into endangered orcas’ race for survival

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The riveting heartbreak of an endangered orca that carried her dead calf for 17 days and more than 1,500 kilometres in B.C. waters in July 2018 captured the world’s attention.

The extended mourning of the mother orca, J35, also known as Tahlequah, illustrated endangered southern resident killer whales are at a dangerous tipping point, and further catalyzed two young filmmakers to explore what is necessary to save the iconic orcas, which frequent the Salish Sea along the U.S. and Canadian coast.

Continue reading Documentary dives into endangered orcas’ race for survival →
Rivers & Oceans

Coast Guard ramps up protection for whales

By Quinn Bender, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Canadian Coast Guard has established a first-of-its-kind division to elevate safeguards against human-caused deaths and injuries to whales in B.C. waters. 

Continue reading Coast Guard ramps up protection for whales →
Rivers & Oceans

Straitwatch: the Discovery Island’s ‘whale police’

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A putrid stink wafts across the water and engulfs the Straitwatch vessel floating off the southern end of Quadra Island.

The Zodiac’s operator, Alex Forman, wrinkles his nose at the odour that hangs in the air, strongly reminiscent of fermented garbage.

“Whale breath,” he explains. “Humpbacks don’t brush their teeth much.”

Continue reading Straitwatch: the Discovery Island’s ‘whale police’ →