Tell WDFW to protect orcas

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Environmental Champion,

Have you ever been in a crowded restaurant trying to enjoy a meal with friends, yet straining to hear each other over the noise and disturbance? That’s part of what orcas face today, and some of that disturbance is coming from whale watching boats.

Cumulative exposure to noise and disturbance has been shown to negatively impact orcas’ foraging ability, social cohesion, and reproductive capacity. This is a significant implication for a population that is already experiencing food limitations - a lack of Chinook salmon.

Of the strong recommendations that were developed by the Governor’s Orca Recovery Task Force, alleviating vessel impacts on orcas is what we can act on right now as we work toward increasing salmon availability and reducing pollution.

Fortunately, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has just released for public comment draft rules for commercial whale watch operators that want to view southern resident orcas. The draft rules outline two proposals, yet neither is protective enough for this highly endangered species. Option A is closer, but more adjustments are needed to make a significant difference in quieting the waters and helping the orca successfully forage, socialize and raise healthy babies.

Please urge WDFW to amend Option A, and make it more protective for the orcas so that it meets the legislative goal to substantially reduce daily and cumulative impacts on southern resident orcas. [[link removed]]

This rulemaking is specific to commercial whale watch operators. An expert report concluded that even if no viewing of southern resident orcas were allowed, the industry would still be economically viable as there are other marine mammals to watch, such as Bigg's killer whales, humpbacks, and minke whales. That was the case in Canada in 2019, when the industry voluntarily suspended all viewing of Southern Resident orcas, and ridership on commercial whale watching tours rose by 7.6%.

We must make sure that the commercial whale watching license rules are based on the best available science, apply the precautionary principle, and are most protective for the orca even if that means that the most restrictive viewing measures are implemented at this time. With proper adaptive management triggers in place, measures can be adjusted based on population health and recovery.

The recent births in southern resident orca pods is cause for celebration, and we need to support their growth. Today, we must reduce vessel noise and disturbance to help the orcas, as we also work to increase salmon and reduce pollution.

Please send in your comment today. [[link removed]]

We also invite you to join us in taking the pledge in the Give Them Space campaign [[link removed]].

Thank you for all you do!

Onward,

Rein Attemann

Puget Sound Campaign Manager

Washington Conservation Voters

1402 Third Avenue, Suite 1400 | Seattle, WA 98101

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