NOAA - Canada to Hold Killer Whale Recovery Workshop

NOAA Fisheries has announced that the agency will convene a multi-session science workshop on killer whale recovery.

According to NOAA, Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans is expected to participate in the process.

This action follows a preliminary analysis that includes information showing that killer whales depend to a substantial degree on large Chinook salmon as a high-calorie food source and concludes that killer whale productivity is affected by Chinook abundance.

Puget Sound Chinook salmon and killer whales are both listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These orcas, known officially as Southern Resident killer whales, are also listed as endangered under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.

See the Northwest Region Website at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Whales-Dolphins-Porpoise/Killer-Whales/ESA-Status/KW-Chnk.cfm for supporting documents.

Study Indicates Multiple Species of Orca

A recent paper, led by authors from the Southwest Fisheries Science Center, indicates that there are multiple species of Orca (killer whale). The paper "Complete mitochondrial genome phylogeographic analysis of killer whales (Orcinus orca) indicates multiple species" describes sympatric ‘ecotypes’ with discrete prey preferences, morphology and behaviors. The study found that differing ecotypes avoid social interactions and are not known to interbreed.

Source: NOAA