It’s the most magical month of the year! It’s Orca Awareness Month! At San Juan Safaris we believe that every month is Orca Awareness Month, but since 2006 Washington State has officially recognized our Southern Resident Killer Whales in the month of June.
The month-long, now multi-state and international, celebration was started by the local organization Orca Network to, “bring together researchers, advocates, and orca lovers everywhere to raise the awareness of the threats facing these magnificent animals and provide a community to celebrate orca of the Salish Sea.” Locally we celebrate the month by hosting advocacy events that range from formal speakers and parades, to small beach clean-ups and laboratory open houses.
Resting line of Southern Resident Killer Whales Sarah McCullaghWhy do Southern Resident Killer Whales need an Awareness Month?
Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) are an endangered population of orcas whose critical habitat has been identified in Washington State’s offshore and inland waters. These inland waters are often referred to as the “Salish Sea.” This large inland sea stretches south into Puget Sound, through the San Juan Islands, and into the Strait of Georgia north past the city of Vancouver in British Columbia. Resident killer whales are fish-eaters, specializing in local salmon populations. Upwards of seventy-five percent of their diet is comprised of Chinook salmon, which is the largest, fat-rich, and calorically dense of the salmon species in the Pacific Northwest waters. Historically Chinook salmon used to grow to over 150 pounds and move through our waters in such numbers that it seemed impossible that they might become depleted.
Unfortunately, we are in the midst of that seemingly impossible depletion today. Through over-harvest, damming rivers, and increased toxicity in our waters we have seen the decline of these iconic fish. Today, the Chinook salmon here in Washington is recognized as an endangered and declining population. Since our SRKWs are so specialized on this one particular species of salmon, the whales’ fate is inextricably linked to the welfare of the salmon. Today, the population of these unique orcas stands precipitately low at only 78 individuals.
Orca Awareness Month Logo featuring J28 & J54 Orca Awareness Month & Sara Hysong-ShimazuOrca Awareness Month
Orca Awareness Month is being directed by not only Orca Network, but also by the Orca Salmon Alliance (OSA), a group of organizations dedicated to, “prevent[ing] the extinction of the Southern Resident Killer Whales by recovering the wild Chinook populations upon which the whales depend for their survival.” OSA members include such organizations as the Center for Whale Research, Save Our Wild Salmon, Seattle Aquarium, and Oceana.
In Orca Awareness Month, under the leadership of the OSA, an emphasis has been placed on increasing consciousness around the fate of the Chinook salmon, in addition to celebrating the great history and future of the Southern Resident Killer Whales. If you are in the Salish Sea in the month of June, consider attending an Orca Awareness Month sponsored event!
Southern Resident Killer Whales in Haro Strait Sarah McCullaghHow Can I Participate from Afar?
If you are not local and still want to get involved, here are three great ideas!
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Host Your Own Local Event!
Invite friends and family over for an evening of sustainably sourced seafood, locally grown and harvested vegetables, and conversation about the Southern Resident Killer Whales. Maybe you want to host a documentary night that sheds light on salmon! The Breach, Salmon Confidential, DamNation, or The Super Salmon are all awesome films.
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Contact your Representatives!
Southern Resident Killer Whales cannot speak for themselves within our government! Call or write to your state and local representatives expressing your concern about the decline of their precious Chinook salmon. Ask your Elected Officials to support environmental protections and restoration projects such as dam removals. Find your Elected Officials’ information here.
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Make an Orca Awareness Month Resolution!
Always wanted to kick that single-use plastic water bottle habit? Maybe you have always wanted to swap out the cleaning products in your home for more natural options? For the next month think about the small changes you can make in your life that can have ripple effects all the way to the Salish Sea! Remember that anytime you interact with water, you are interacting with the ocean. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas: 10 Ways to Help Orcas!
Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands on M/V Kestrel Sarah McCullaghI Want to Make a Meaningful Donation in Honor of Orca Awareness Month!
Wow that’s amazing! Thank you! At San Juan Safaris we have an established Conservation Fund, and now donate $2.00 out of every ticket sold to local orca and salmon conservation efforts. Since 2015, with help from patrons like you, we have been able to donate over $24,000 to these important efforts. We choose to support the three organizations listed below and, if you are looking to support conservation efforts here in the Salish Sea, encourage further support of these organizations’ efforts.
“Since 1976, the Center for Whale Research (CWR) has been the leading organization studying the Southern Resident killer whales on the water in their critical habitat in the Salish Sea. CWR performs health assessments to ensure the viability of the whale population, informing elected officials of their ecosystem needs, and sharing the whales’ story with the world. Our 42 years of research has created the only long-term data set about the behavior, health and social dynamics of the Southern Resident killer whales.”
“Save Our Wild Salmon is a diverse, nationwide coalition working together to restore wild salmon and steelhead to the rivers, streams and marine waters of the Pacific Northwest for the benefit of our region's ecology, economy and culture.”
3. Whale Scout
Whale Scout is in the process of creating an app that will better connect everyday citizens to projects that will restore salmon habitat in their local areas. We are looking forward to connecting as many of our guests as possible to these citizen driven cionservation initiatives!
Southern Resident Killer Whales porpoising Sarah McCullaghHappy Orca Awareness Month, hopefully we’ll see you out on the water soon!