B.C. killer whale expert out of work as feds cut ocean-pollution monitoring positions–Vancouver Sun

Canada’s only marine mammal toxicologist at the Institute of Ocean Sciences on Vancouver Island is losing his job as the federal government cuts almost all employees who monitor ocean pollution across Canada. Peter Ross, an expert on killer whales and other marine mammals, was the lead author of a report 10 years ago that demonstrated [...]

Human fishing shown to have little effect on orcas – Kitsap Sun

Fishermen who catch chinook salmon in the Salish Sea probably are not depriving killer whales of a meal — at least not to the extent that some people believed. That’s the preliminary conclusion of an independent panel of seven U.S. and Canadian scientists. The group was convened to figure out whether the endangered Southern Resident [...]

NOAA doubles whale watch distances

NOAA today announced new regulations to protect killer whales in inland waters of Washington State from the effects of various vessel activities. The new regulations have two parts: 1. vessels must not approach any killer whale within 200 yards (up from 100 yards) 2. vessels must stay out of the path of oncoming whales out [...]

What’s good for Orca is good for fishermen – Billy Frank

A great opinion piece by Billy Frank Jr. the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. He makes some excellent points. Read the whole piece, it’s pretty short. Tribes and orcas have a lot in common. Together, we have always depended on the salmon for food. The last 100 years have been hard on the [...]

Canada, U.S. may restrict chinook salmon harvest to benefit killer whales

2/3/11 Vancouver Sun Canada, U.S. may restrict chinook salmon harvest to benefit killer whales By LARRY PYNN, Vancouver Sun Fishermen in Canada and the U.S. may have to give up part of their lucrative chinook salmon catch to help the recovery of endangered resident killer whales. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in [...]