A look back: Helping boaters to Be Whale Wise during summer 2021
As we witness the return of endangered Southern Resident killer whales to the waters of Puget Sound this December, it’s a great chance to look back at some of our recent progress to support their recovery.
Dreaming of the sunnier days of summer 2021, we’re rounding up some of WDFW Enforcement’s efforts to foster safer waters for orcas — and people. WDFW Enforcement has just 27 officers across northern Puget Sound and the Washington Coast that help to perform these regular orca patrols alongside our partners at NOAA Fisheries. During these on-the-water patrols, Enforcement officers educate boaters about how they can follow Be Whale Wise regulations to help quiet the waters for orcas and keep days on the water safe and fun.
During summer 2021, WDFW Enforcement officers put in more than 1,500 hours across 178 patrols, connecting with more than 250 boats to share information about Be Whale Wise regulations with boaters. We also connected with nearly 40 commercial whale watching operators, who are working with WDFW to ensure their wildlife viewing opportunities are safe and sustainable by reducing the amount of time and boats near Southern Residents.
These patrols are just one of the ways WDFW and its partners are working alongside tribal and federal governments to advance recovery of these iconic animals. Other ongoing efforts include helping to support hatchery production to enhance food availability for SRKW, restoring habitat, improving access for migrating fish, setting sustainable fishing seasons, and studying contaminants. More information is available in our recent blog post celebrating Orca Recovery Day earlier this fall.
This all-hands-on-deck approach is essential because Southern Resident killer whales really are in trouble. These special orcas face several challenges: a lack of food, contaminants in their water and food, and vessel noise and disturbance as they try to hunt and communicate using echolocation. Following the presumed deaths of K21 (Cappuccino) and J47 (Marina), the population currently sits at just 73 individuals.
The population of Southern Residents has been seeing a downward trend for quite some time. Recent research suggests that the population trajectory is projected to decline under current conditions. To emphasize the cause for concern, the population doesn’t have enough breeding females, and we need more female calves to survive to adulthood to help stabilize the population. In terms of what we’d like to see going forward, the Governor’s Southern Resident Orca Task Force outlined a goal of 84 whales by the year 2028.
While the recent news of multiple pregnancies among J-pod gives us all signs of hope, we still must be diligent in doing all we can to give Southern Residents a better chance at a brighter future.
How boaters can help:
Already looking forward to next boating season? Us too. Washington law requires boaters to stay at least 300 yards on either side and at least 400 yards in front of and behind Southern Resident killer whales. Boaters must also reduce their speed to seven knots within one-half nautical mile of Southern Residents.
Be sure to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, which lets you know there might be whales nearby. You can even get one of your own from our friends at the San Juan Marine Resources Committee.
If you see a whale from land or at sea, report your sighting to Whale Report. Reporting your sightings to Whale Report is the fastest and most reliable way to ensure that large vessel operators and WDFW Enforcement are aware of whales’ presence. Learn more about Whale Report: https://wildwhales.org/wras/
If you observe harassment or disturbance of marine mammals, please help by reporting it as soon as possible to NOAA Fisheries enforcement hotline at 1–800–853–1964 or the WDFW enforcement line at 877–933–9847 and/or or report online at bewhalewise.org.
A big thank you for continuing to follow Be Whale Wise regulations to help keep people and marine mammals safe. To learn more WDFW’s progress on orca recovery — and how you can get involved — please visit our website.
