PROTECT THE OCRAS
Emily Hoehenrieder
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http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/recent_stories.html
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http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/recent_stories.html
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http://fragilewaters.weebly.com/blog/category/statistics
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Killer whales are the world’s
largest dolphin. A distinctive part about killer whales is that their black and
white dorsal fin is unique to each whale.
The “Killer” in their name is
wrongly placed as these dolphins are not a threat to humans, but cases where
captive orcas kill their handlers in theme parks have been reported. Killers whales can live in any marine
habitat, but they like higher latitudes and the near the shore. Killer
whales are known to feed on a wide array of prey, including most marine mammal
species, seabirds, sea turtles, many species of fish. They have distinctive tactics, including intentional
beaching to gain access to seals on shore. Southern Resident killer whales are
known to use cooperative techniques to herd fish and to attack large prey.
The Southern Resident Killer Whale inhabits
British Colombia and Washington state waters. They do not
breed outside of their community, which was once estimated at around 200
animals and later shrank to around 90. In October 2008, the annual survey revealed seven were
missing and presumed dead, reducing the count to 83. This is potentially the
largest decline in the population in the past ten years.
These deaths can be
attributed to declines in Chinook salmon. The dolphin’s preference in this salmon paired
with their decline estimate a deficiency in metabolic needs for growth and
lactation for females killer whales which greatly harms the populations ability
to reproduce. The whales are also
endangered from depletion of prey species, pollution, large-scale oil spills,
and habitat
disturbance caused by noise and conflicts with boats.
In order to combat the declining population
of the killer whale, the US Fish and Wildlife Service put Southern Resident killer whales on the endangered species list in 2005 as an endangered animal. The Southern Resident killer whales recovery
plan ensures the rebuilding of depleted populations
of salmon through habitat, harvest, and hatchery management. They also plan to limit pollution and
chemical contamination in the whale’s habitats through cleanups. In order to minimize noise pollution and
disturbance inflicted upon the Southern Resident killer whales they plan to
monitor vessel activity in the whale’s habitat.
To raise awareness of the whale, the Fish and Wildlife Service plans to
develop public information and education programs through schools, museums,
aquaria’s and parks. They also plan to
research and facilitate recovery efforts of the Southern Resident killer whale
to receive and accurate account of the whale’s reclamation. This research includes investigating the diet
and demographics of the killer whale.
The Southern Resident killer whale is a unique and beautiful mammal in
our oceans that needs to be protected through the future.
Works Cited:
Works Cited:
"Orcinus Orca." (Killer Whale, Orca). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 June 201
Proposed Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales (2006): n. pag. National Marines
Fisheries Service. Northwest Regional Office, Nov. 2006. Web
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