On behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity and Orca Relief Citizens’ Alliance, we are writing to notify you that the Secretary and the National Marine Fisheries Service (collectively, “the Service”) are violating the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 500 et seq., for their failure to respond to our petition to designate a Southern Resident killer whale protection zone. Time is of the essence is protecting the endangered Southern
For Immediate Release, November 4, 2016 Contacts: Scott West, Orca Relief Citizens’ Alliance, (425) 299-8727, scottwest@orcarelief.org Miyoko Sakashita, Center for Biological Diversity, (510) 844-7108, miyoko@biologicaldiversity.org ‘Whale Protection Zone’ Sought in San Juans to Save Critically Endangered Puget Sound Orcas Zone Would Protect Against Noise, Disturbances from Boats SEATTLE— Conservation groups petitioned the Obama administration today to create a 10-square-mile “whale protection zone” near San Juan Island to protect endangered orcas
A new study demonstrates that the faster boats speed near endangered Southern Resident killer whales, the louder it is for them – the more noise there is in the water, the harder it is for the Orca to hunt, communicate and rest. A “No Wake” speed restriction for boats within 400 yards of any whale, combined with Orca Relief’s proposed Whale Protection Zone will go a long way to reducing
The endangered Southern Resident Orca need more quiet to aid their recovery, and they are not alone. A new study shows the urgency to protect endangered Southern Resident Orca and other marine mammals from disruptive noise pollution, by identifying and establishing key protection zones where the whales live, socialize, and hunt. The study shows how to include noise pollution in protection planning for all marine mammals, focusing primarily on areas
According to the Seattle Times, a fourth calf has been identified, potentially raising the population of Southern Resident Killer Whales to 81. A formal increase in the SRKW population should wait until the July 1 census, but until then we can regard the birth of four new Orca is a hopeful sign. At the same time, the continued decline of breeding females remains the most serious indication that the Puget