Hundreds of Oregonians support stronger protections for Southern Resident orcas

Less than 75 Southern Resident orcas are alive today. These marine mammals are apex predators in the Pacific Northwest, and they’re loved by the people who live here. Sadly, they’re starving because of a lack of their favorite food – Chinook salmon – which in some places have declined by over 90%.

Earlier this year, state officials in Oregon unanimously voted to designate Southern Resident orcas as endangered under the state’s Endangered Species Act. In doing so, it invested Oregon in their survival and will require the state to develop a species management plan to help get them back on track.

Southern Resident orcas are at an extreme risk of going extinct within the next 50 years and if conservation actions are not swift and meaningful, we risk losing them forever.

That’s why just last week Environment Oregon, alongside coalition partners, submitted a letter to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission calling on them to “swiftly move forward with the development of a species management plan for Southern Resident orcas” and to “ensure an effective and accessible public comment process.”

Having the communities’ input will be key in developing a strong management plan and at the time of our submission, over 300 concerned Oregonians agreed and signed our letter.

Sometime next year, state officials will open up a public comment period for their species management plan which we’ll be engaging in, and encouraging citizens to engage with too.