Save the Orca has a number of goals and challenges. These goals range from the preservation of Southern Resident killer whales to the protection of endangered salmon stocks and the safety of SeaWorld trainers. Read on to learn about their latest endeavors. In addition, learn more about the endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
Southern Resident killer whales
The southern resident killer whales are genetically distinct from other species, but they are also facing an unprecedented crisis. The population has declined from 89 individuals in 2005 to only 74 today. Recent studies show that the whales are not getting the nourishment they need to produce viable offspring.
The Southern Residents live along the Pacific Northwest coast of the United States and Canada. They congregate in the Salish Sea, where they feed on salmon. They also feed off the outer coasts of Washington and Oregon, and have been spotted as far south as Monterey Bay. Despite the threats facing these species, the number of their offspring has remained variable.
Conservation efforts have been necessary to prevent further extinctions. In the early 1970s, there were 66 Southern Resident Killer Whales. During the capture era, many were captured and shipped to aquariums throughout the world. Sadly, many of these animals died in the process. It is important to preserve these magnificent creatures to prevent them from disappearing for good.
While the Southern Resident’s population may be recovering, it remains at risk because of human-caused environmental threats. Pollutants in the water are reducing their prey availability. These contaminants also affect the ability of the whales to reproduce. Recent studies have shown that over two-thirds of Southern Resident whale pregnancies ended in failure. The authors of the study believe that this was caused by limited access to Chinook salmon, but the presence of POPs in the mothers’ breast milk may also be a contributing factor.
The Southern Resident Killer Whale Conservation Agreement signed under the ESA aims to reduce human-caused physical and acoustic disturbance to the whales. The agreement was signed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Chamber of Shipping in British Columbia, the Shipping Federation of Canada, and the Council of Marine Carriers.
The Salish Sea is a hotbed for vessel traffic. Boats travel to Seattle, Vancouver, Tacoma, and many smaller ports. Future development projects in the area will only increase vessel traffic. Vessels also cause noise and disturbance. These hazards are a serious threat to SRKW populations.
The Southern Resident Killer Whales have unique distribution patterns off the West Coast. They are grouped into three family groups, called pods. These groups of whales are closely related to each other and share a common range. However, their seasonal distribution patterns have changed in recent years.
The southern resident killer whales depend on salmon runs to survive. In order to sustain their populations, we need to restore the salmon habitats they depend on. This is one of the most critical factors for saving the Southern Residents. While the Southern Residents are federally listed, they continue to struggle. The public can help by getting involved with the Southern Residents conservation effort.
These animals were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2005. Their population has been declining over the past two decades and are in danger of extinction. They are under threat from toxic pollution, acoustic disturbance, and the desire to hold them for recreational purposes. We need to provide a clean, healthy habitat for these magnificent mammals.
Threatened salmon stocks
Scientists have discovered that salmon runs are threatened in the southern resident killer whales’ home waters. The animals are relying on diminishing chinook salmon populations to survive, and boat traffic has made the waterways too crowded for them to thrive. Luckily, Washington State has recently introduced new restrictions on hunting and fishing in the salmon rivers, in an effort to help protect the whales.
The state’s economy is at stake. The state’s iconic salmon is a symbol of a world-class fishing industry, a staple menu item in local restaurants and a beloved family tradition. In addition, whale watching trips generate upwards of $60 million annually for the state. Gov. Jay Inslee has taken action by signing an executive order to protect the salmon in these rivers.
Southern resident killer whales feed and socialize in the Salish Sea near the San Juan Islands, but salmon are becoming scarce and difficult to catch. This is causing reproductive problems and poor health in these creatures. Researchers have reported that fewer than one-third of these animals successfully deliver their calves. The reason for this low birth rate isn’t known yet, but it has been suggested that malnutrition is a contributing factor. Moreover, salmon contain toxins that are harmful to the animals, especially for their delicate newborn calves.
Increasing chinook salmon populations is the key to protecting Southern Resident killer whales. However, NOAA has only made minimal progress over the past decade. However, the SRKW basin still holds great potential for restoring salmon populations in the near future. The removal of four lower Snake River dams could help orcas recover from this crisis. If this happens, the SRKW could see significant increases in their chinook salmon populations.
The lack of food for orcas may be a key factor in their poor health. Researchers believe the lack of salmon is affecting the species’ growth, fertility, and social behavior. Ultimately, the decrease in salmon production is threatening the survival of the species. It will take more than a generation for the populations to return to normal levels. In the meantime, the situation of orcas may worsen.
The Pacific Salmon Treaty includes restrictions on harvest in U.S. and Canadian waters, but these restrictions are not enough. There is a need for a different solution. NOAA should make sure that policies are driven by ecologists and future generations. And they should consider the needs of coastal communities as well.
The Southern Resident killer whales feed on a variety of salmon stocks. The sources of these fish vary from Alaska to the Central Valley in California. Each of the stocks has its own migration patterns, and these provide the whales with year-round prey. Although there is no evidence of a shortage of salmon in the southern Salish Sea, there is still room for improvement in their health.
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to help save these animals. Contacting your elected officials is an important first step. You can do so by filling out a USACE “contact” form. If you live in Washington State, contact Senator Murray or Governor Inslee to ask them to take action. They are the ones who will make the decision to protect the animals.
SeaWorld trainers’ safety
As part of its employee health and safety policies, SeaWorld requires its trainers to sign a quasi-waiver recognizing the risk of working with killer whales. The company trains its trainers in a manner that minimizes the likelihood of injury, but this approach leaves gaps that could leave trainers vulnerable to harm. For example, they may fail to recognize negative precursors or make a mistake while reacting to them, which could result in a potentially fatal encounter.
In an effort to make up for the breach, SeaWorld is working to improve its safety program, which includes strict guidelines for trainers working with orcas. The company has also decided to eliminate the chance of trainers diving in the water during performances. Although SeaWorld did not pursue an appeal, it did accept a fine of nearly $26,000 for violating the workplace safety laws.
The death of Dawn Brancheau is a testament to the failure of SeaWorld to provide adequate safety measures for its employees. A recent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission investigation into Brancheau’s death found that SeaWorld failed to provide adequate training for trainers. This was followed by the release of a documentary called Blackfish, which explores the circumstances of Tilikum’s death. The film argues that killer whales kept in captivity become aggressive. The film also prompted a celebrity to pull out of a show at SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld has been working on improving its safety measures for trainers for years. These new safety measures include a new emergency vest for trainers. The vest is a lightweight inflatable vest with an integrated scuba regulator. This vest is meant to provide the trainer with a few minutes of air if he or she becomes unconscious or falls underwater.
As part of its safety measures, the trainers have been instructed not to use anthropomorphizing language when working with orcas. In addition, the film cited former trainers who were accused of violating safety regulations. Despite the restrictions, SeaWorld still offers Shamu’s Celebration: Light up the Night, which will open to the public this Summer.
In October, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined SeaWorld $75,000 for violating its worker safety regulations. The penalty stems from Dawn Brancheau’s death, who was pulled underwater by a 12,000-pound killer whale named Tilikum. The settlement also outlines a maximum distance between the trainer and the water.
Since the tragedy at Shamu Stadium, SeaWorld has implemented new safety measures to protect the trainers. Twenty-two trainers have been provided with safety vests. The vests are designed to buy them time to escape harm if they fall into the water while working with the animals. The company is also required to follow strict guidelines regarding the training of its trainers.
The incident also highlights the need for more training for trainers working with killer whales. OSHA has recommended that trainers wear an inflatable safety vest and keep a safe distance from killer whales.
