Endangered orcas suffered calorie deficit in recent years: UBC study
A new study released by the University of British Columbia found that southern resident killer whales (SRKW) did not have enough to eat in recent years, which correlates to higher mortality and lower fertility rates.
The study tracked the critically endangered SRKWs over the past 40 years, and found that they did not get enough to eat in six of those 40 years – three of which occurred in the most recent years of the study, from 2018 to 2020.
On average, adult killer whales were about 28,716 calories short in their diet in the six years that deficits were recorded, or about 17 per cent of their average daily energy requirements, according to the study.
"With the southern resident population at such a low level, there’s a sense of urgency to this kind of research," said lead author Fanny Couture, a doctoral student at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF) and Ocean Wise, in a release Monday.
As of October 2021, the SRKW population numbered about 73 orcas.
CHINOOK SALMON DECLINES
The southern residents feed mostly on Chinook salmon, and when Chinook salmon populations declined, the orcas were affected, the study found.
"The years where southern residents were in an energy deficit are also years where other studies report lower population growth rate and higher mortality rates for the killer whales," said Dr. Villy Christensen, professor at IOF and co-author of the study.
Researchers are uncertain why Chinook salmon populations are declining, though there are several factors, including climate change, disease, and predation by other animals.
Commercial fishing also plays a role, though researchers say Chinook salmon harvesting was reduced in Canada in the late 1990s, and that salmon declines have continued over the past two decades.
"Those declines have continued despite severe fisheries reductions, and one very likely candidate for causing them is the massive increase in abundance of Steller sea lions since the mid-1980s; those sea lions now consume more fish than all the B.C. commercial fisheries for all species, combined," said Dr. Carl Walters, senior author of the study and retired professor at IOF.
MORE FISHING RESTRICTIONS MAY BE NEEDED
Researchers found that when Chinook salmon populations were particularly low, southern resident killer whales would feed on other types of salmon, such as chum. However, their energy deficits would still occur.
Study co-authors say more restrictions on Chinook salmon fishing may still be required to protect both the fish and the orcas, as well as further research into underwater noise pollution.
"Both killer whales and Chinook salmon, the southern resident’s main prey, are important, iconic species for the west coast of Canada," said Couture
"Studying what is happening to the population may help offer solutions, both for the southern residents and potentially other killer whale populations in the future."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
1 person killed and 23 injured in a bus crash in northern Maryland, police say
One person was killed and 23 others were injured when a bus crashed early Sunday on Interstate 95 in northern Maryland, police said.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
William Nylander stood in a solemn visitors locker room at TD Garden just before midnight. The Maple Leafs had battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss. Nylander's message was emphatic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
Video shows gaggle of geese stopping traffic on Highway 1 near Vancouver
A mother goose and her goslings caused a bit of a traffic jam on a busy stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway near Vancouver Saturday.