Orcas, or killer whales, are one of the most studied and adored cetacean species. They have inspired and fueled the imagination of children and adults worldwide for decades. In the first part of the session, Fellows will learn about three ecotypes of killer whales found in the Salish Sea. We will discuss the three main threats to the endangered Southern Resident population, which is down to 75 individuals, and provide an overview of the local issues and approaches for SRKW recovery. We will explore the threats and recovery strategies for this species and the politics and challenges around protecting marine food webs, restoring freshwater and upland habitat, honoring treaty rights, and rebuilding wild populations while also considering the economic importance of this species and the trade-offs they have already endured with an expanding human footprint. 

Resources from Grace

The Washington Department of Ecology has a webpage on contaminants of emerging concern, which is an issue that was flagged by the Governor's Task Force. This page contains some great information and links to information about nutrient permits and advanced wastewater treatment.

Requirements and Availability of Prey for Northeastern Pacific Southern Resident Killer Whales

This is a new paper about prey availability requirements for SRKW (attached)! This is a very exciting study out of Canada.