Dear John,
|
Act now: Stop the shipping industry from wiping out the Southern Resident killer whale and Chinook salmon.
|
The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Expansion Project (T2) is a massive proposed shipping facility. If it’s built, it would be located at the mouth of British Columbia’s Frasier River. It could wipe out Chinook salmon and Southern Resident killer whales.
T2 will disrupt the migration patterns of Chinook salmon, the main food source for endangered Southern Resident Killer whales. It will force young salmon into open ocean waters before they are strong enough -- creating a chronic lack of food for the 72 Southern Resident whales that remain.
The Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, could deny the T2 project’s approval. We need you, John, to use your voice to protect the Pacific Northwest’s wildlife.
Use your voice: Stop the shipping industry from wiping out Chinook salmon and Southern Resident killer whales.
Tahlequah, a well-known killer whale off the coast of Washington, is pregnant. She was spotted recently swimming the waters in the Pacific Ocean, as she frequently does.
Tahlequah gave birth two years ago to a calf that died thirty minutes later. The lack of salmon for her pod to feed on was a key factor in the calf’s death.
In an unprecedented show of mourning, she kept its body afloat next to her for days as she just kept swimming. For 17 days she carried her calf, signifying the 17 months she carried it in gestation. Her tour of grief was seen around the world.
Tahlequah, her unborn calf, and other killer whales are at risk. They will be pushed further towards extinction if T2 moves forward.
Demand the Canadian Ministry of Environment protect killer whales like Tahlequah.
There are only three pods of Southern Resident killer whales remaining. The J Pod, which Tahlequah is a member of, typically sees a loss of two-thirds of its pregnancies. Her new pregnancy is a vital step to earn this species more time, but hunger from lack of food has been linked to whales' poor reproductive success.
To save the whales, our leaders must combat the main culprit of their demise -- the Chinook salmon these pods rely on are in scarce supply. They too have been listed as an endangered species.
With their food supply dwindling, the whales are getting skinnier and skinnier. Time is running out to save these incredible creatures.
John, will you take action to protect Tahlequah, Southern Resident killer whales, and the Chinook Salmon they rely on?
25,000 Signatures Still Needed: Speak up for Southern Resident killer whales. Demand T2 be stopped immediately.
Standing with you,
Marcie Keever
Oceans & Vessels Program Director
Friends of the Earth
