ON THIN ICE: NEW PUBLICATIONS HIGHLIGHT THE IMPACT OF RAPID WARMING ON KILLER WHALE POPULATIONS IN ANTARCTICA

SR3 and colleagues have recently published two scientific papers highlighting the impact of rapid warming on killer whale populations in the Antarctic Peninsula. The first paper A decade of photo-identification reveals contrasting abundance and trends of Type B killer whales in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula was published in Marine Mammal Science and was led by SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach, collaborating with Dr. John Durban and Bob Pitman, both formerly with NOAA and now with Southall Environmental Associates (SEA) and Oregon State University, respectively. This study used photo-identification images to provide the first estimates of abundance for Type B1 and B2 killer whales in the Antarctic Peninsula and revealed contrasting abundance and trends for these two endemic ecotypes. Type B1 killer whales, an ecotype that notoriously washes their seal prey from ice floes, were found to have a smaller population size (~100 individuals) with abundance declining at a rate of ~ 5% per year. Such a decline could be due to reduced survival, but could also be a result of whales responding to ice loss in the study area and moving further south to find more abundant ice and seals. In contrast, Type B2 killer whales, an ecotype that feeds on penguins, occasionally seals and likely fish or squid, had a much larger and currently stable population size of ~ 740 individuals. This study, combined with results from the team’s previous study on Type A killer whales, shows that ecotypes that prefer open-water habitat (Types B2 and A) appear to be faring relatively well in the face of  recent rapid warming and subsequent ice loss, while the ice-obligate Type B1s appear to be impacted by the reduction in pack ice habitat for their seal prey. However, there was evidence of relatively low survival in Type B2 killer whales in recent years, which may be a sign that environmental change may be beginning to impact this most abundance ecotype also (see the second paper, below…).

The second manuscript Size and body condition of sympatric killer whale ecotypes around the Antarctic Peninsula was published in Marine Ecology Progress Series and was a collaborative effort led by Dr. John Durban (SEA) and SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach. This study used aerial images collected from a remotely operated drone to provide the first measurements of size and body condition for all three ecotypes (Type A, B1 and B2) of killer whales in the Antarctic Peninsula. Both Type A and B1 whales were larger than the diminutive Type B2s, with Type A having the longest males, averaging 7.8 meters (26 feet), and Type B1 having the longest females, averaging 6.9 meters (23 feet). Type B2 whales were over one meter (>3 feet) shorter on average and were significantly leaner in body condition, with several individuals measured to be in anomalously poor condition. This poor condition was coincident with the years of low survival reported in the first paper, and also occurred in recent years when low ice cover and warmer temperatures likely impacted the food chain that has been supporting this most abundant ecotype. The generally lean measurements for Type B2 killer whales may be predictive of future population declines. The relatively good body condition of Type B1 killer whales suggests that their decline in abundance may be primarily due to movement to find their seal prey in contracting pack-ice, rather than increased mortalities as a result of nutritional stress, which will be further tested as we continue our long-term research in Antarctica. 

Results from these studies have been provided to decision-makers at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the multilateral body charged with conservation of the Southern Ocean. Data collection and analysis for these studies was primarily supported by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund and Pew Charitable Trusts. Most of the photo-identification images and all drone measurements were collected while the authors were hosted onboard Lindblad Expedition’s ship M/V National Geographic Explorer.

Photograph: Aerial photograph of a group of Type B2 killer whales in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula; note young calves swimming below their mothers. This image was collected non-invasively from >30m (100ft) above the whales using remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit No. 19091 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 2017-029. 

Wavemaker Spotlight: Denis Tuzinovic

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denis Tuzinovic, who is part of our Wavemakers monthly giving group as well as a dedicated volunteer!

We recently had the chance to ask Denis about his passion for marine life, and why he was motivated to get so involved with SR³:

1. What initially inspired you to support SR³?  When I moved to Seattle, I always assumed that there would be a designated hospital for injured marine animals. Learning more about our area, I found out that this was not the case. Following SR³’s work not only opened my eyes to issues that marine wildlife face, but it also helped educate me on what I could do to help in my everyday life. 

2. What’s your favorite part of supporting SR³ every month as a Wavemaker?  As a volunteer, I have seen firsthand how much effort goes into operating the hospital. Knowing that my gifts are helping benefit all of this work to give injured marine animals another chance is incredibly inspiring to me.

3. What do you wish other people knew about protecting marine wildlife?
   Keep your distance! Sometimes we tend to forget this when we see marine wildlife, and the end result is unnecessary harm to an animal. You can still appreciate wildlife from a distance.

4. Why should others consider supporting marine wildlife rescue and research?
   There is so much impacting our oceans and the Salish Sea today that, without research and rescue, we wouldn’t know the effects on our marine life. We are fortunate to have a designated marine animal hospital in our state that can treat those injured and release them back to the wild. 

   Without public support, we also wouldn’t have a lot of important information available to us. For example, SR³ is using photogrammetry studies to assess the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) population. This gives us insight into the health of the SRKW population and identifies pregnant whales who need extra protection, which is super important since the population is not doing so well.

5. What’s your favorite marine animal species in the Salish Sea?
   Killer Whales! I have been fortunate enough to see the J-Pod from land at Lime Kiln Point. I have had a fascination with killer whales ever since I was a kid and seeing them in person was magical! 

From enchanting killer whales to darling seal pups, all of these marine animals are depending on us for a second chance. And it’s easier than you might think to join Denis in helping save lives every month!

Thank you to all of our Wavemakers out there whose steady waves of support are rescuing and protecting marine animals all year long!

SR3’s Southern Resident killer whale research is supporting adaptive conservation measures

SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach and Dr. John Durban from Southall Environmental Associates (SEA) have had a busy start to their annual September monitoring of the health of endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs). Assisted ably in the field by Jessica Farrer and Dylan Jones, the team has already been able to use their custom octocopter research drone to non-invasively collect aerial images of all SRKWs that have been sighted around the San Juan Islands this month (63/74 individuals in the population). These images are being measured in photogrammetry analyses to add to the 13-year time series of size and body condition for each individual whale. 

These quantitative health metrics are actively being used to support adaptive conservation measures to aid in the recovery of the population. A recent publication coauthored by Holly and John highlighted the links between our body condition measurements of SRKWs, the abundance of their Chinook salmon prey, and the subsequent mortality risk to the whales. Notably, individuals measured to be in poor body condition having an elevated risk of mortality, showing that our identification of condition can serve as an early warning system to facilitate enhanced conservation measures. In response to photogrammetry measurements conducted by the SR3 team in near real-time this month, Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has recently adopted two emergency rules. In early September we identified that a calf in J pod, J56, had declined into poor condition, and as a result WDFW designated this whale as vulnerable and ruled to prevent commercial whale watching from approaching within one-half nautical mile of J56 or her group, to protect her ability to successfully forage. Then last week we identified three females in J pod (J36, J37, J19) that we measured to have width profiles indicative of late-stage pregnancy. WDFW also designated these whales as vulnerable  and adopted similar approach restrictions to help ensure that these females are able to meet their elevated nutritional needs and to give them best chance of birthing success and survival. 

We will continue monitoring the growth and body condition of SRKWs during this core month of September research, and opportunistically throughout the year, to continue to provide these important health data and support adaptive conservation management.

Aerial images documenting the shape change during pregnancy of an adult female Southern Resident killer whale (J36), collected during non-invasive health research. These images were collected using a remotely-piloted octocopter drone that was flown >100ft above the whale in September 2020 under NMFS Research Permit #19091 and September 2021 under NMFS Permit # 22306.

NEW PUBLICATION LINKS BODY CONDITION TO PREY AVAILABILITY AND SURVIVAL FOR ENDANGERED SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES

NEW PUBLICATION LINKS BODY CONDITION TO PREY AVAILABILITY AND SURVIVAL FOR ENDANGERED SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES

A research paper titled “Survival of the Fattest: Linking body condition to prey availability and survivorship of killer whales” was recently published in Ecosphere, a journal of the Ecological Society of America (https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3660). This collaborative paper used drone-derived photogrammetry data collected by SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach, SEA’s Dr. John Durban and colleagues since 2008 in an analysis led by Dr. Josh Stewart from NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center. The paper evaluated the link between our non-invasive measurements of body condition and the subsequent mortality probability for Southern Residents, specifically revealing that whales in poor condition had a 2-3 times higher chance of dying than whales in more robust condition. This demonstrates huge potential for using our body condition metrics as early warning indicators of individual and population health, providing managers with options for implementing enhanced recovery strategies to hopefully prevent deaths rather than making decisions in response to them. This is very important for helping to conserve and recover this small and endangered population.

We were also able to link changes in body condition to the abundance of specific salmon stocks. Notably, there was a significant correlation between the condition of J pod whales in September and the abundance of Chinook salmon returning to the Fraser River in the preceding summer months, whereas L pod body condition correlated with the abundance of Chinook returning to Puget Sound. K pod whales changed little in body condition during the study and did not correlate with salmon abundance from any specific area or tributary, likely indicating that K pod rely on a variety of salmon stocks for their summer diet. These new data help to identify priority salmon populations that are important for Southern Resident condition and population health, and help further focus recovery actions. Identifying specific salmon stocks that are important for Southern Residents has been challenging in the past, but our results show the utility of using our high-resolution body condition data to identify important prey populations. SR3 and colleagues are now extending our photogrammetry monitoring to detect changes in whale in body condition and identity salmon populations that are important to the Southern Residents throughout the year.

Aerial image of J41, an adult female Southern Resident killer whale, successfully foraging alongside her juvenile offspring J51. Image collected by Holly Fearnbach and John Durban, from SR3 and NOAA, respectively, using an unmanned octocopter that was flown >100ft above the whales under NMFS permit #19091.

A Successful Start to the Alaska Resident Killer Whale Photogrammetry Project

SR3 had a successful start to their new collaborative project with the North Gulf Oceanic Society to assess the health of fish-eating Resident killer whales in the Northern Gulf of Alaska.

A week-long field project was conducted in late May in the coastal waters around the Kenai Fjords, and the team was able to fly a remotely controlled octocopter drone to collect photogrammetry images of 32 individual whales from two Alaska Resident pods (AD8 and AK2), including four new calves.

Size and body condition of these abundant and increasing Alaska Residents will be compared to the endangered and declining Southern Resident killer whales to generate health benchmarks to facilitate recovery monitoring. The team will head back up to Alaska in August for a two-week field project in the spectacular Prince William Sound.

Aerial images of two female-calf pairs from the AK2 pod of the Alaska Resident killer whale population. Images were collected non-invasively using a remotely-controlled drone flown at >100ft over the whales under NMFS research permit #20341. Photo by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (North Gulf Ocean Society).

2021 Sounders Health Assessment Complete

The annual health assessment of the “Sounders” gray whale’s health assessment project is complete for 2021. This was the second year of this collaborative research project between SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach, Dr. John Durban of Oregon State University and colleagues from Cascadia Research Collective (CRC).

Aerial image of a social group of “Sounders” gray whale taken in April 2021. Image was collected non-invasively using a remotely-controlled drone flown at >150ft over the whales under NMFS research permit #22306. Photo by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (Oregon State University).

The ongoing aim is to assess the health of these whales during the current Unusual Mortality Event for gray whales and to document their changes in body condition during this important feeding stopover in the Northern Puget Sound.

A remotely controlled octocopter drone was used to collect aerial photogrammetry images of 14 individual whales on seven days between late February and early June of this year. Eleven of these whales were measured on multiple days, with a maximum of four different days, and 11 of these whales were also measured in 2020, which will allow us to monitor changes in body condition both between and within years.

We saw a consistent and dramatic improvement in body condition during the spring feeding stopover and were able to document one pregnancy. The whales have now departed to resume their northbound migration to Arctic feeding grounds, and we will resume our health monitoring next spring when they return to Puget Sound.

NEW PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS DECLINES IN BODY LENGTHS OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALES

A new publication has just come out, highlighting SR3’s health assessment of endangered whales on both coasts. SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach collaborated with colleagues from NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, New England Aquarium, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Southall Environmental Associates in a paper published today in the high-impact scientific journal Current Biology, titled “Decreasing body lengths in North Atlantic right whales” (read the paper here). The study used aerial images spanning 20 years, collected from both crewed aircraft and remotely operated drones, to estimate body size and evaluate growth trends of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales (NARW) off New England. NARWs currently number < 400 individuals, with declining abundance attributed in part to human-induced impacts such vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. The study found that entanglements in fishing gear are also associated with shorter whales and that body lengths have been decreasing since 1981.  The smaller body sizes have likely contributed to reduced calving success and population decline. 

This finding of stunted right whales is remarkably similar to the results from our primary research on salmon-eating Resident killer whales off the Pacific Coast. In recent years, SR3 and colleagues have documented decreased adult body size in both endangered Southern and Northern resident killer whales, specifically for whales that grew in periods of low Chinook salmon abundance (read a recent paper here). Although the causes of this stunted growth are different for right and killer whales, the studies in combination highlight the severity of sub-lethal stressors, and indicate the need for additional management protections if these vulnerable populations are to recover. 

Read reaction to the new paper in the New York Timeshere.

Photographs of North Atlantic right whales taken using non-invasive drones. Left photo shows the distinctive callosity patterns on the head, which are used to identify individuals and link measurements to known age. Right photo shows a whale in elongated surfacing orientation – images like this were measured to estimate length and monitor growth (note the scarring near the tail stock from a previous entanglement in fishing gear). Photographs by John Durban (NOAA) and Holly Fearnbach (SR3), authorized by NMFS research permit #17355.

Exciting start to new killer whale health research in Alaska!

SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach is off to Alaska to start a new research project in collaboration with Dr. John Durban, Craig Matkin and Dan Olsen from the North Gulf Oceanic Society. The study will focus on using drone-based photogrammetry to estimate the size and body condition of fish-eating Resident killer whales in the Northern Gulf of Alaska. In contrast to the declining abundance and the constrained size and body condition of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales that SR3 studies off Washington State, the Alaska Resident killer whales have been increasing in abundance in recent decades and offer the opportunity to study the health of a robust population. Therefore, this study will serve as a comparative assessment between the two populations to help establish health benchmarks to guide conservation measures to ensure that Southern Resident killer whales have an adequate supply of their preferred prey, Chinook salmon. This is the first year of the project, with an aim of continuing annual sampling in early and late summer for the long-term.

Photo of an Alaska Resident killer whale in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Image taken by John Durban, North Gulf Oceanic Society.

2021 Assessment of “Sounders” gray whales

Our 2021 condition assessment of the “Sounders” gray whales off to a great start!

The “Sounders” gray whales have begun returning to Puget Sound and we have already been able to measure the body condition of four individuals. This is the second year of this collaborative research project between SR3’s Dr. Holly Fearnbach, Dr. John Durban of Oregon State University and colleagues from Cascadia Research Collective (CRC). We are using a remotely controlled octocopter drone to non-invasively collect high resolution aerial images that we analyze to measure in the  body condition of individuals during their feeding stopover in North Puget Sound. Our aerial images can be linked to known individuals (some with 30+ year sighting histories!) thanks to the long-term monitoring efforts led by CRC. Both boat-based and aerial images were collected of all four whales, all of which were also imaged in 2020, allowing for evaluation of how body condition varies between years. One of these whales, CRC-723 or “Lucyfer”, was in much leaner condition compared to last year, likely an indication of a more recent arrival to the area. Hopefully we will see an improvement in condition for all of the whales as they fatten up on ghost shrimp before they resume their northbound migration to Arctic feeding grounds. This project will continue into early summer and results from this study will continue to provide important information on the body condition and health of gray whales during the current Unusual Mortality Event.

Aerial images of a “Sounder” gray whale (CRC-723, “Lucyfer”) taken on March 19th, 2020 and then again last week on February 24th, 2021. Note that Lucyfer appears more robust in the March 2020 image (left), likely the result of several extra weeks of foraging on ghost shrimp in Puget Sound. Images were collected non-invasively using a remotely-controlled drone flown at >150ft over the whales under NMFS research permit 19091. Photo by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (OSU).

Welcome to the Salish Sea

Chances are you know where to find the Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Strait of Georgia, but do you know where the Salish Sea is?  You’re not alone if you don’t. 

Reference map for the Salish Sea Bioregion with boundary highlighted in white. (Aquila Flower, 2020)

Where is the Salish Sea?

The Salish Sea is the inland sea that reaches from the south end of Puget Sound in Washington State, to the north end of the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia, and to the west opening of the Strait of Juan de Fuca where it meets the Pacific Ocean.  The combination of these three bodies of seawater plus the surrounding watershed basin forms a single integrated ecosystem. 

The Salish Sea spans approximately 49,000 sq. mi. (128,000 sq. km.).  Of that, 14% is seawater and 86% is the surrounding watershed basin, not including the upper Fraser River watershed. 

The geology here was built up by the forces of plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions, and then carved out by glaciers and erosion.  When the last glacier retreated about 12,000 years ago, it left behind an inland sea with channels that reach 2,130 ft. (650 m.) in depth and more than 400 islands.  Those deep channels allow cold, nutrient-rich saltwater from the Pacific to enter and mix with fresh water that drains from the surrounding river systems to create a habitat that sustains more than 3,400 marine animal species.

Coast Salish region and cultural groups. (Burke Museum)

Why give it a name?

The Salish Sea crosses the border between the U.S. and Canada. Yet, neither oil spills nor marine life recognize lines on a map. People began to fear an oil spill on either side of the border could foul the waterways of both countries. That fear drove scientists to study the circulation, salinity, and marine life throughout the inland sea. They found that it was a single ecosystem supporting one food web. That food web needed coordinated, multi-national protection. The habitat that supported that food web needed a name.

“Coast Salish” refers to the family of languages spoken by the many cultural groups of indigenous people who have lived here for more than 10,000 years. The Salish Sea name acknowledges these first stewards of this ecosystem. All of us who live in the Salish Sea watershed today live on the ancestral lands of the Washington State Tribes and First Nations of British Columbia. We must all work together to protect the Salish Sea.

Who lives here?

More than 3,400 marine species and 8 million people call the Salish Sea home.  Unless you are a diver, the animals you see most often are those who operate at the surface: graceful Humpback, Minke and Gray whales; agile killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins; immense sea lions and ubiquitous seals; meticulously-groomed sea otters; bright-beaked Tufted puffins.  These are some of the iconic species that captivate us and symbolize our culture in the Pacific Northwest. 

These neighbors depend on thousands of species that are harder for us to see.  Our mighty salmon feed on small forage fish such as herring and smelt.  These fish rely on the shelter of bull kelp forests that serve as their nursery.  The kelp forests rely on the sea otters to eat urchins that would otherwise eat the kelp.  And on it goes…  All of the species that live here, the seen and unseen, are equally important members of an intricately connected food web.  If any one species in the web falters, the health of all is impacted, including humans.

What impact have we had on this ecosystem?

Despite this exquisite biodiversity, the Salish Sea is not the healthy home it once was.  113 local species are listed as endangered or threatened or are candidates for addition to the U.S. Endangered Species list because of the way we live.   

We pull too much out of our ocean.  Too many fish to eat.  Too much oil to burn.  Too many nearshore and watershed habitats to develop. 

We also put too much into the ocean.  Too much waste in the form of garbage, plastic, toxic chemicals, and carbon emissions.  Too many vessels that create noise and strike animals.  Too much fishing gear that entangles and kills animals not intended to be caught.

SR3 responds to, rehabilitates, and researches marine animals to help those in urgent need due to human impacts, as well as collect health data which informs conservation efforts.

With local human populations continuing to grow, the stress we put on local species is increasing.  If we don’t reduce that stress, it won’t just be our neighboring species who suffer.  Our food supply, cultures, and economies will suffer too.

What can we do?

We must protect the Salish Sea.  We know we can succeed.  We’ve done it before.  By the middle of the last century, marine mammals in U.S. waters, including humpback whales, sea lions and seals, had been hunted nearly to extinction.  Federal regulations enacted in the 1970s, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act, stopped the hunt.  With these protections in place, these animals have recovered and are once again thriving in the Salish Sea.  Their stories show us what we can protect when we work together.

Each of us can make a difference.  Use the following resources to learn how to give animals the space they need to feed, socialize and mate without disruption, reduce pollution in their water, and buy only sustainably-caught seafood to prevent depletion of fish stocks.

Learning from local research.  SR3 is on the frontlines of local marine animal research and recovery.  By opening the Pacific Northwest’s first marine wildlife specialty hospital, we are gaining a better understanding of the ever-changing threats that marine animals face and how we can best address those issues. 

Working together in partnership.  When we work together, we can achieve more.  SR3 works with many organizations and community supporters to respond to animals in distress, rehabilitate them, and conduct research that informs conservation efforts.  And now, SR3 welcomes the Mission Blue team to our community of stewards as we recognize the Salish Sea as a Hope Spot.  We welcome their support in working to restore and preserve this unique place that we are fortunate to call home.