Southern Resident Killer Whales

Our Southern Resident Killer Whales have a 49% chance of extinction in the next 100 years, and the Galiano Conservancy is taking action! Our new project focuses on the Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) and other at risk Cetaceans (whales, dolphins & porpoises). For quick facts about our Southern Resident Killer Whales, click the PDF link below.

Orcas or Killer Whales?

Orcas, or killer whales (the names are interchangeable), are found throughout the world’s oceans, and after humans, are the second most widespread mammal on Earth. Interestingly, orcas are often referred to as whales, however, they are actually from the family Delphinidae, making them dolphins! Although all technically the same species (Orcinus orca), there are numerous distinct populations, or ‘ecotypes’ of killer whales globally that can be distinguished from other ecotypes by their diet, morphology, and culture. That’s right, culture! Biologists are now expanding the definition of culture (socially transmitted behaviours) to include other animal groups than just humans.

There are three orca ecotypes living off BC’s coast: Offshore Killer Whales, Transient Killer Whales and Resident Killer Whales. At first glance, all three ecotypes looks very similar. However, it is very possible to tell them apart. Ecotypes can be distinguished by both the shape of their dorsal fin as well as the pattern of their saddle patch, the white coloration on their backs just behind their dorsal fin. With a fine-tuned eye, some people can even identify individual whales based on these patterns. Like the name implies, offshore killer whales are rarely sighted near land, and as a result, are less studied than other ecotypes. Transient, or Bigg’s Killer Whales are mammal hunters, and forage broadly up and down the Pacific Northwest coast, preying on seals, sea lions, and other whales. In fact, the observations by sailors of groups of orcas hunting larger whales earned them the name “whale killer”, which later became “killer whale”. In contrast to transients, resident killer whales hunt only fish, with their preferred prey being Chinook salmon. The suspected reason for this being that Chinook salmon are typically large, have a high fat content, and persist year-round in coastal waters. Orcas pass their culture (e.g., foraging strategies, dialects, and dietary preferences) on to younger generations by living in tight-knit family groups. Among resident orcas, these family groups are called matrilines and consist of a head female, her offspring, and her daughters’ offspring, which all stay together for life.

Southern vs. Northern Resident Orcas?

Resident orcas are further subdivided into two geographically distinct breeding populations: Northern Resident Killer Whales, which typically range from mid Vancouver Island to Haida Gwaii and Southern Alaska, and Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) which live primarily in the Salish Sea, but range from northern California to as far north as Haida Gwaii. There are three pods that make up the Southern Resident population: J pod, K pod, and L pod. Each pod consists of several matrilines.

Male and female orcas are dimorphic, meaning they look different from each other. The males are much bigger, and have a long, slightly forward slanting dorsal fin, with a wavy back edge. The females are smaller and have a dorsal fin with a more rounded top.

Why are we concerned about the future of these whales?

We have no historic data about the size of the Southern Resident Orca population before the 1960s, however most researchers estimate there were likely 150-200 individuals at the start of the 20th century. Perceptions of these marine mammals were very different in the early 1900s. People thought they were dangerous, and many fishermen saw them as competition. This resulted in the establishment of culling programs, and it became the norm to shoot guns at the whales in order to either kill them or shoo them away. The situation became more critical in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when 49 whales were captured for the aquarium trade. As socially organized animals the consequences of such actions were great, family units were disrupted, potentially impacting the transmission of culture, and leaving mothers mourning for their calves. Populations have been fluctuating ever since, but have been very low for the last couple of decades. The Southern Resident Orca population is listed as endangered by the Committee of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and after the loss of L41 (also known as Mega), who was last seen in August 2019, we currently have the smallest population since 1973, consisting of 72 individuals.

Although the aquarium trade was responsible for the most dramatic SRKW population decline, there are now many new factors preventing their population recovery. Current threats are extensive, and include persistent organic pollutants (POPs), chemical pollutants, bacteria, exotic species, physical and acoustic disturbance through increased vessel traffic, oil spills, entanglement, and most critically, low Chinook salmon stocks. Read more about these threats here.

Learn more about Orcas & boating here.

What is the Galiano Conservancy doing to help Orcas and other Cetaceans in the Salish Sea?

Providing >80% of their diet, the main food source of the Southern Resident Orcas is Chinook Salmon. The other portion is largely made up of Chum Salmon. Critical habitat for these salmon are eelgrass meadows and kelp beds off our coasts. Eelgrass meadows grow in shallow waters from the intertidal down to 7 m depth, while kelp beds lie somewhat deeper, down to 17 m. As coastal ecosystems, both are very susceptible to negative human impacts such as coastal development, excess sedimentation, pollution, and climate change. Eelgrass can also be damaged through trampling and dragging of boat anchors, while kelp is susceptible to threats of its own, including propeller damage, over-harvesting, and sea urchins overgrazing (often caused by excessive human consumption of urchin predators, like sea otters).

Last summer, the Galiano Conservancy Association and partnering conservancies on North Pender, South Pender, Saturna, and Valdes Islands began a long term kelp and eelgrass monitoring program, with the goal of determining how beds are changing through time. The survey methods were taught by the Mayne Island Conservancy, who established their own monitoring program over a decade ago. 

With the collaborating groups, we are also launching a public education campaign directed at boaters and citizens about the importance of being whale-wise while boating and avoiding eelgrass meadows while anchoring your boat.

Click here to learn more about Cetaceans!

Show your support for Salish Sea Cetaceans!

Being-Hungry-Blows-SRKW-Sticker

Dont-Leave-Our-Survival-Up-To-A-Fluke-SRKW-Sticker

Dont-Krill-My-Vibe-Whale-Sticker

If you would like to order one of our fun Whale Stickers, send us an email at oceans@galianoconservancy.ca
All proceeds go back into the Whale Project!

How can I help protect Cetaceans in the Salish Sea, especially SRKW? 

  • Join local Streamkeepers to protect & enhance wild salmon habitats.
  • Avoid anchoring in eelgrass meadows – which are important chinook habitat.
  • Join your local beach clean up.
  • Eat sustainably sourced (not farmed) seafood & always follow fishing regulations.
  • Let your MP know that orca welfare and environmental protection are important to you, and the changes you would like them to make.
  • Slow down as soon as you spot a fin, tail, or spout to reduce your underwater noise.
  • Report boating infractions by calling 1-800-465-4336.
  • Use natural cleaning & beauty products to reduce ocean impacts (and your own health).
  • Reduce your use of single-use plastics and avoid purchasing products with toxic contaminants such as PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers – used as flame retardants) and others.

We could not make projects like this happen without your support! Consider making a donation to the Conservancy today, or email oceans@galianoconservancy.ca for information on volunteer opportunities with us and our partners!

References and Further Reading

Boater interactions with wildlife and habitat

https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/maps-cartes/srkw-ers/boating-around-kws-nav-prox-eps-eng.pdf

https://mersociety.org/seeablowgoslow

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/recovery-strategies/northern-southern-killer-whales-2018.html

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/profiles-profils/killerWhalesouth-PAC-NE-epaulardsud-eng.html

https://www.whaleresearch.com/orca-population

https://www.epa.gov/salish-sea/southern-resident-killer-whales

http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/oceans/killerwhales/

http://www.orcanetwork.org/Main/index.php?categories_file=Births%20and%20Deaths

https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/our-environment/wildlife-plants/marine-species/kelp

https://www.psf.ca/blog/protecting-kelp-salmon

https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/our-environment/wildlife-plants/marine-species/eelgrass

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291137823_Chinook_salmon_predation_by_resident_killer_whales_seasonal_and_regional_selectivity_stock_identity_of_prey_and_consumption_rates

Matkin, C., Saulitis, E., Ellis, G., Olesiuk, P., & Rice, S. (2008). Ongoing population-level impacts on killer whales Orcinus orca following the ‘Exxon Valdez’ oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 356, 269-281. doi:10.3354/meps07273

Fraker, M. A. (2013). Killer whale (orcinus orca) deaths in prince william sound, alaska, 1985-1990. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 19(1), 28-52. doi:10.1080/10807039.2012.719385