'Unprecedented' absence of southern resident killer whales from Salish Sea concerns researchers
The most common pod of southern resident killer whales who migrate to the Salish Sea during the summer have not been seen for than 100 days, marking a highly unusual absence from their historic summer hunting ground, according to researchers.
Monika Wieland Shields, director of the Orca Behavior Institute in Washington state, says the absence is "unprecedented," and likely does not bode well for the state of the salmon ecosystem near B.C.'s Fraser River.
"April through September is typically the peak season for the southern residents here in the Salish Sea," said Shields.
"J-pod is sort of the most resident of the three pods, but K-pod and L-pod we would expect to see on a near daily basis in and around the San Juan islands, off Victoria, off Vancouver all summer long."
She says the last confirmed sighting of a J-pod southern resident killer whale in the Salish Sea was on April 10.
"So for us to go 100 days this time of year is unprecedented," said Shields. "I think it's really telling us there's not food for them there."
The last sighting of any southern resident killer whale in the Salish Sea was on July 1, when members of K-pod were seen in the area, according to Shields.
DECLINING CHINOOK SALMON POPULATIONS
Historically, southern resident killer whales would follow migrating chinook salmon into the Fraser River during the spring and summer months, according to Shields.
But a decline in chinook salmon in the area means the orcas are likely turning elsewhere to find food.
Shields says that all three pods have been spotted near Swiftsure Bank off the southwest end of Vancouver Island this summer. The researcher believes it's because the orcas can find a wider range of fish migrating to other parts of the ocean, rather than relying on chinook salmon from the Fraser River.
"If the Fraser River is not enough to sustain them, by being on the outer coast they can feed on salmon from a wider geographic area," she said.
"Maybe their new travel patterns are actually working for them and they're finding more food elsewhere," Shields said. "But it's a pretty dramatic shift for them to completely abandon this area that was considered their core summer habitat for decades, and probably going back hundreds, even thousands of years."
Shields says that if southern resident killer whales have abandoned the Fraser River area during the summer, other species that rely on chinook salmon may be suffering too.
"It's a concern for the whole ecosystem and all the other species that depend on the Fraser River chinook salmon as well," she said.
Erin Gless with the Pacific Whale Watch Association agrees that a lack of prey is having a noticeable impact on the orcas.
Fewer salmon are returning to the area each year, and the average size of each salmon is declining, she said.
Gless says it "takes the same amount of energy to catch a fish," but now the salmon that the orcas are feeding on may be half the size of what they were historically.
LOOKING FORWARD
Back in Friday Harbor, Shields says there's no simple solution to rebuilding the food chain.
"If it were easy to recover wild salmon we would have done it by now," she said.
Shields says that a closer look at commercial fishing management along the West Coast could help.
"Fish farms in British Columbia are also a big concern," said the Washington resident.
She says that B.C. fish farms are likely impacting wild salmon, with many operations being located along migration routes for wild fish and that they can spread diseases to wild salmon.
The researcher says she supports the federal government's controversial decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Islands region of B.C.
"There are plenty of issues on both side of the border that are affecting the whales," said Shields.
Sue Grant, head of the State of the Salmon Program for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, adds that climate change is contributing to the decline of chinook salmon across North America.
Ocean temperatures are warming, affecting fish, and heat waves, like the record-setting heat dome seen in B.C. this summer, also affect the temperatures of rivers.
The increasing scope of forest fires also impacts water sheds, says Grant. The loss of tree canopy leads to more sediment in water systems and decreases overall water quality.
The Center for Whale Research estimates that there are roughly 74 southern resident killer whales left in the wild.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America announced after 114 years that it will change its name and will become Scouting America in an effort to emphasize inclusion as it works to move past the turmoil of bankruptcy and a flood of sexual abuse claims.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.