Now in force is a new legislation that mandates all boats to maintain a minimum of 1,000 yards between themselves and endangered southern resident orcas in Washington waters.
The purpose of the regulation is to shield southern resident orcas from boat noise, which may reduce their propensity to pursue Chinook salmon and other prey. Senate Bill 5371 became law on January 1st, 2023, after being signed by Governor Jay Inslee.
According to the Center for Whale Research’s most recent census, the number of residents in the south is still dropping, at 73.
The mother orca Tahlequahdied a few days after giving birth to a young J pod calf last week.According to researchers, Tahlequah is now carrying the dead calf once more, just as she did during a startling 17-day, 1,000-mile excursion in 2018.
For the majority of the year, commercial whale-watching vessels were required to have 1,000 yards. However, recreational boats had to keep 400 yards or less from the orcas prior to this regulation.
A $500 charge might be imposed on boaters who disregard the additional buffer rule.
In 2022, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife published a report suggesting that the legislature raise the 1,000-yard buffer for all vessels.
In 2023, Nora Nickum of the Seattle Aquarium, who assisted in the bill’s drafting, stated that the Department of Fish and Wildlife had reviewed the most recent research and concluded that the existing 300 or 400 yards was insufficient to reduce such affects on their foraging.
According to a study that was included in the report, hunting success among southern inhabitants was impacted by boats that were within 1,640 yards, even if they were only moving at 1-2 knots.
Due to a shortage of food, two-thirds of pregnancies among Southern residents end in loss. Their preferred prey, Chinook salmon, must contend with contaminants, man-made obstacles, and ravenous seals and sea lions.
In the department’s 2023 news release regarding the bill, Julie Watson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that cooperation is necessary for the southern resident population’s recovery.
Along with putting the increased barrier into effect, the measure instructed WDFW to establish an advisory council to increase public knowledge and adherence to the rules.
Additionally, the new rule changes how WDFW grants licenses to businesses that offer sea kayak tours and whale watching.
The rules governing the approach to healthy populations, including Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, gray whales, and any other whale species in the region, remain unchanged under the law.
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