The plight of the enigmatic southern resident killer whales: Have we done all we can to recover these icons of the Salish Sea?

• Main Authors: Robinson, Orla, Nelson, Regan, Barrett-Lennard, Dr. Lance, Thomas, Carleen
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Western CEDAR 2022
• Subjects: British Columbia; Canada; Killer Whale; Killer whale
• Online Access: https://cedar.wwu.edu/ssec/2022ssec/allsessions/323; https://cedar.wwu.edu/context/ssec/article/3485/viewcontent/SRKW_20Recovery_20Agenda_20_28Panel_29.pdf

Southern Resident killer whales recognize no boundaries but frequent the coastal waters of southern British Columbia (Canada) and northern Washington State (USA). Having acknowledged their conservation plight, the two respective national governments have afforded this distinct and much-valued population the status of ‘Endangered’ under their respective endangered species laws. Divergent natural resource management regimes, endangered species legislation, and marine use profiles in the two nations have at times limited a concerted conservation push for these killer whales. However, much has been learned over the past 20 years about the three primary threats to their recovery - diminished prey (primarily Chinook salmon), underwater noise, and high levels of industrial contaminants. This research has, in turn, led to a number of steps in the two jurisdictions to recover the SRKW and improve their habitat. This panel will review past successes and failures in the quest for killer whale recovery, and contribute to a forward-looking agenda that addresses a notable and timely opportunity: ‘What more can we do to recover SRKW?’. The panel will encourage attendees to reflect on constraints and opportunities on the path to recovery. The session will provide a safe place for ‘outside the box’ ideas where boldness and innovation are encouraged to address the challenges facing the species in this transboundary region.