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Today may mark the start of the southern-resident orca watching season, but Washington wildlife officials are asking everyone to stay away from the region's endangered whales.
"The southern residents do really poorly with a lot of boats around," said Julie Watson with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. "It affects their ability to find food, and so we're asking the public to voluntarily give them a little bit more space so that especially these vulnerable whales can bounce back."
In addition to asking recreational boaters to stay away, Fish and Wildlife officials want whale watching tour boats to stay half a nautical mile from 13 vulnerable orcas.
These orcas were just categorized as "vulnerable" by the Sealife Response Rehabilitation and Research Group. They have poor health. And one is pregnant.
There are 74 southern resident orcas left. Boats are not allowed to approach them outside of the summer months.
"The southern residents do really poorly with a lot of boats around," said Julie Watson with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. "It affects their ability to find food, and so we're asking the public to voluntarily give them a little bit more space so that especially these vulnerable whales can bounce back."
In addition to asking recreational boaters to stay away, Fish and Wildlife officials want whale watching tour boats to stay half a nautical mile from 13 vulnerable orcas.
These orcas were just categorized as "vulnerable" by the Sealife Response Rehabilitation and Research Group. They have poor health. And one is pregnant.
There are 74 southern resident orcas left. Boats are not allowed to approach them outside of the summer months.
See an orca in Puget Sound — stay away
Posted from kuow.org
Wildlife
State of Washington
Puget Sound
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 2
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Lt Col Charlie Brown Unfortunately You're Probably Right. Hell they're Naturally Curious so Staying Away can be a Challenge. They would "Escort" USS California CGN-36 and USS Arkansas CGN-41 When We came Home from Our Entrance into Strait of Juan de Fuca to Sinclair Inlet.
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MSG Roy Cheever
Nice. So much for them being vulnerable. But I can understand them having potential trouble finding food with a bunch of noisy buzzing props around. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."There are 74 southern resident orcas left. Boats are not allowed to approach them outside of the summer months."
..."There are 74 southern resident orcas left. Boats are not allowed to approach them outside of the summer months."
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