by Rachel bishop, development and communications officer
June is Orca Action Month here in the Pacific Northwest. Originally established in 2006, this regional movement draws attention to one of our region’s most iconic and endangered species: the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW). Over the years, what began as an awareness campaign has become an urgent call to action.
Southern Resident killer whales were listed as “Endangered” under the Species at Risk Act in Canada in 2002 and the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2005. The SRKW population numbers just 73 individuals, and despite decades of recovery actions, their population has not rebounded - a sobering reality that underscores the critical need for ongoing research, conservation, and community involvement.
With the help of ocean heroes like you, SR3 advances science-driven efforts aimed at the recovery of SRKWs. Primarily, we use drones to non-invasively collect aerial images that are analyzed to assess the health of SRKWs: a research tool called aerial photogrammetry. The detailed health data we gather helps guide conservation management actions such as fishery limits and closures, vessel regulations, and salmon habitat restoration priorities.
And because informed and inspired communities are essential to lasting change, we also ignite public action through education, outreach, and youth engagement programs.
Here’s a closer look at three major threats facing SRKWs - and how you can help address them!
In recent years, by linking changes in the body condition of SRKW pods to the abundance of specific Chinook salmon stocks in the summer and fall, SR3 has been able to identify priority salmon stocks critical to SRKW survival.
This information helps guide conservation managers in decisions on fisheries harvests of specific stocks, and helps focus restoration priorities for important salmon habitat. (Source)
1. Lack of Prey: A Crisis of Nutrition
SRKWs depend primarily on Chinook (“King”) salmon - a species that itself has many endangered populations across the Pacific Northwest. Climate change, habitat degradation, dams, and altered river flows have led to major declines in both the abundance and size of Chinook salmon in their core habitat: the Salish Sea and nearby waters of Washington and British Columbia.
SR3’s research has shown that a high proportion of SRKWs are in poor body condition, and pregnancy failure remains common - both signs of nutritional stress. These data have directly influenced management actions aimed at reducing vessel disturbance and providing SRKWs with a quiet space for foraging.
What you can do:
Avoid consuming Chinook (“King”) salmon and choose sustainably-sourced seafood.
Support salmon habitat restoration efforts and advocate for improved fish passage.
2. Disturbance from Vessels
Marine traffic poses both acoustic and physical threats to SRKWs. Noise pollution interferes with their echolocation, a critical tool for foraging and communication. Close approaches from vessels can disturb foraging efforts, causing the whales to miss important opportunities to feed.
“Unfortunately, we are continuing to see a disturbing trend in the body condition of SRKWs, with almost one-third of the population recently measured to be in poor body condition.”
The 22 whales recently observed in poor condition represent the highest number recorded since Dr. Fearnbach’s health monitoring began in 2008. Whales in poor body condition have been found to have an increased risk of mortality - a stark reminder of how critical it is that they have uninterrupted access to their prey.
In order to increase foraging success for SRKWs, SR3’s research results are shared with management groups - such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - to help ensure that SRKWs have ample space to forage with minimal disturbance from vessels.
SR3’s work directly contributed to landmark legislation mandating a 1,000-yard vessel approach distance to SRKWs in Washington waters beginning in January 2025.
Aerial images of Southern Resident killer whales taken during health research in September 2024: L90 and her new calf L128 surfacing (left) and J16 breaching (right). Images obtained using an octocopter drone flown non-invasively >100ft above the whales under NMFS research permit # 22306.
What you can do:
Give Southern Resident killer whales at least 1,000-yards of space in Washington waters, whether you’re in a boat, kayak, or on a paddleboard. You can familiarize yourself with how to minimize disturbance to whales at BeWhaleWise.org.
Enjoy whale watching from shore. The Whale Trail is a series of locations to view marine mammals along the Pacific coastline.
3. Toxic Contaminants in the Marine Environment
SRKWs are long-lived, top predators, which means harmful pollutants like PCBs and flame retardants accumulate in their tissues over time. These toxins are passed from mothers to calves when they are nursing and can be released into their bloodstream when fat stores are metabolized during periods of nutritional stress.
Although SR3’s health monitoring doesn't measure toxin levels directly, poor body condition and reproductive outcomes documented in our research reflect the compounding effects of multiple stressors - including contaminants. Understanding the intersection of these threats is essential to recovery strategies.
What you can do:
Protect your local watershed from harmful pollutants. Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers in your yard, clean up pet waste, and don’t wash your car in your driveway! Whether it's soapy water or lawn fertilizers, these products contain phosphates and other chemicals that flow directly from your storm drain into local waterways, where they harm fish and water quality.
Properly dispose of hazardous waste and electronics.
Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires shed particles containing pollutants that are harmful to salmon.
Science for Conservation - and Community Empowerment
SR3’s Southern Resident killer whale health monitoring program is the only year-round, population-wide health assessment of this endangered species. Now in its 18th year, this research helps agencies in the U.S. and Canada make informed decisions that affect everything from fisheries management to vessel regulations. Our research also empowers the public to connect the dots between scientific data, climate change, and the everyday actions that shape our oceans’ future.
This June, as we celebrate Orca Action Month, we invite you to be part of this story. Whether you're avoiding Chinook (aka King) salmon in your diet, giving whales space on the water, or limiting your use of toxic chemicals at home, your actions make a difference!