
Scientists map recovery for endangered orcas off British Columbia’s coast
A new report from a group of more than 30 experts says a population of endangered killer whales off the coast of British Columbia and Washington state is showing “no sign of recovery” and there’s an “urgent need” for robust actions to save them.
A statement from B.C.-based conservation groups says it marks the first time scientists have proposed a road map for the recovery of southern resident killer whales on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border.
Despite measures adopted by both countries since 2019, the report says the whales face a “high probability of extinction” under current conditions.
The report makes a series of recommendations, including limiting fisheries to help the whales access their main prey, chinook salmon, along with eliminating toxic chemicals that build up in their food chains and adopting enforceable underwater noise standards.