Right now, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) just proposed expanding orca critical habitat to include over 15,500 square miles of coastal waters while maintaining the whales' currently-designated critical habitat in inland waters of Washington.

Now is your chance to show your support to expand the area designated as critical habitat and urge expedient action! Submit your comment today.

Vessel noise and disturbance, declining prey, and toxic contaminants all contribute to the risk of extinction. Animals with critical habitat protections are twice as likely to be on track for recovery as those without. Given that there are only 73 of these highly intelligent orcas left, there is no time to lose. They need critical habitat protections in coastal marine areas now.

The population’s decline underscores the need for urgent, enforceable protections of orca coastal habitat. To save whales, we need to protect their ocean habitat. This proposal by the NMFS to expand critical habitat designation is so important. These habitat protections could shield orcas from any impacts by increasing federal regulatory review, analysis, and consultation of activities and projects conducted in these areas.  

Speak up for the Southern Resident orcas: Tell NMFS to expand their critical habitat!

The final rule identifies three essential habitat features: water quality, sufficient prey, and passage conditions. Healthy waters not only benefit salmon and orcas, but also support healthy communities that rely on clean water.

Thank you for your continued support for orca survival and recovery.

Rein Attemann
Puget Sound Campaign Manager