It has recently been reported that endangered Southern Resident killer whales have been spending more time around our shores

https://www.facebook.com/758091889665041/posts/1015833273890900

Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair (D-Camano Island) posted this to her Facebook page on December 7, 2024 8:50 am.

It has recently been reported that endangered Southern Resident killer whales have been spending more time around our shores. Researchers believe they are doing this because of an unusually large run of chum salmon heading to the nearby rivers to spawn.

Our local Southern Resident Orca whales are adapted to fish-eating, and as their favored food of Chinook salmon becomes less available, they are learning to feed on fall Chum.

Spring and summer Chinook runs have continued to decline in northern Puget Sound despite recent recovery efforts. There are some parts of Puget Sound that the Southern Resident population has not been seen around for decades.

Surprisingly early in November they made a visit to the infamous orca-capture grounds in Penn Cove, for what is probably the first time in more than 50 years. To learn more about Chinook salmon recovery in Island County visit our website- https://www.islandcountywa.gov/651/Salmon-Recovery

To learn more about Southern Resident Orcas returning to Penn Cove see one of many articles: https://www.pugetsoundinstitute.org/some-orcas-extend-their-stay-in-puget-sound-others-visit-capture-site-for-first-time-in-years/

#PugetSound #EcosystemRecovery #ShorelineRestoration #MarineResources