They're called killer whales because they were originally called whale killers. Some subspecies/ecotype hunt and eat whales, dolphins, and porpoises. But the whales in this news story are northern residents, which eat only fish. Almost exclusively Chinook.
December 12, 2025 at 2:47 AM
They're called killer whales because they were originally called whale killers. Some subspecies/ecotype hunt and eat whales, dolphins, and porpoises. But the whales in this news story are northern residents, which eat only fish. Almost exclusively Chinook.
Spying on the whale party to try to understand and protect them better is a good thing. They're a critically endangered species. Their main source of food is Chinook salmon, just so you know when you go to Costco.
"On the morning of Nov. 10, researchers say they could hear the gathered excitement of the orcas on a hydrophone in Sunset Bay, Wash."
love that the whales had a family vacation
love that the whales had a family vacation
All southern resident killer whales gathered into ‘superpod’ south of Vancouver Island
The Orca Behavior Institute says it’s “thrilled” to have seen a southern resident killer whale superpod gather in the waters south of Vancouver Island last week.
cheknews.ca
November 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Spying on the whale party to try to understand and protect them better is a good thing. They're a critically endangered species. Their main source of food is Chinook salmon, just so you know when you go to Costco.
And from the linked article:
"But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales."
Thanks for posting.
"But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales."
Thanks for posting.
October 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
And from the linked article:
"But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales."
Thanks for posting.
"But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales."
Thanks for posting.
And from the article:
But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales.
But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales.
October 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
And from the article:
But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales.
But government agencies won’t act on this unless they hear from you.
You can help. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered Chinook and endangered killer whales.
Act now to protect Chinook and save Southern Resident killer whales. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered #salmon and #endangered killer whales. #orcas #TakeAction www.raincoast.org/2025/10/wind...
A window for survival: Act now to protect Chinook and save Southern Residents | Raincoast
A ‘’whale safe” window can help this endangered population.
www.raincoast.org
October 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Act now to protect Chinook and save Southern Resident killer whales. Send a letter to Fisheries and Oceans Canada by October 31 urging them to establish a whale-safe window for both endangered #salmon and #endangered killer whales. #orcas #TakeAction www.raincoast.org/2025/10/wind...
Excited to have the following publication out. Early Fraser river chinook play an important role in the trajectory of the endangered southern resident whale population.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SRKW, #whalesky #orca #ecosystem
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SRKW, #whalesky #orca #ecosystem
Partitioning the influence of Chinook salmon productivity and stock-specific abundance on the southern resident killer whale population
The southern resident killer whale (Orcinus orca, SRKW) population is listed as endangered in both the U.S. and Canada. Reduced prey availability, esp…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Excited to have the following publication out. Early Fraser river chinook play an important role in the trajectory of the endangered southern resident whale population.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SRKW, #whalesky #orca #ecosystem
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SRKW, #whalesky #orca #ecosystem
For my artwork that will be done next week, I want to talk about the science behind it -
Two keystone species in the Pacific Northwest is the Orca and the Salmon. Specifically, the Southern Resident Killer Whale (endangered) and the Chinook salmon. It lives between central CA and south Alaska.
Two keystone species in the Pacific Northwest is the Orca and the Salmon. Specifically, the Southern Resident Killer Whale (endangered) and the Chinook salmon. It lives between central CA and south Alaska.
October 20, 2025 at 3:09 PM
For my artwork that will be done next week, I want to talk about the science behind it -
Two keystone species in the Pacific Northwest is the Orca and the Salmon. Specifically, the Southern Resident Killer Whale (endangered) and the Chinook salmon. It lives between central CA and south Alaska.
Two keystone species in the Pacific Northwest is the Orca and the Salmon. Specifically, the Southern Resident Killer Whale (endangered) and the Chinook salmon. It lives between central CA and south Alaska.
Why are Chinook fisheries and recreational fishing still legal? Chinook salmon are declining- they are the main food source for southern resident killer whales. It’s one of the main reasons the whale population is critically endangered and could become extinct.
October 16, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Why are Chinook fisheries and recreational fishing still legal? Chinook salmon are declining- they are the main food source for southern resident killer whales. It’s one of the main reasons the whale population is critically endangered and could become extinct.
2025 —
“We have an endangered killer whale trying to eat an endangered salmon species”
The stakes are high. The Southern Resident orcas that frequent the Salish Sea are endangered, with a population hovering around 75; The Chinook salmon dropped 60% population since '84.
apnews.com/article/orca...
“We have an endangered killer whale trying to eat an endangered salmon species”
The stakes are high. The Southern Resident orcas that frequent the Salish Sea are endangered, with a population hovering around 75; The Chinook salmon dropped 60% population since '84.
apnews.com/article/orca...
October 15, 2025 at 7:11 PM
2025 —
“We have an endangered killer whale trying to eat an endangered salmon species”
The stakes are high. The Southern Resident orcas that frequent the Salish Sea are endangered, with a population hovering around 75; The Chinook salmon dropped 60% population since '84.
apnews.com/article/orca...
“We have an endangered killer whale trying to eat an endangered salmon species”
The stakes are high. The Southern Resident orcas that frequent the Salish Sea are endangered, with a population hovering around 75; The Chinook salmon dropped 60% population since '84.
apnews.com/article/orca...
Misunderstood/mishandled #conflicts can “harden divisions that stymie evidence-based decision-making, deepening distrust.” @laureneeckert.bsky.social studied opinions on killer whale & salmon management & stresses conflicts can become #trust-building opportunities theconversation.com/in-the-salis...
September 6, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Misunderstood/mishandled #conflicts can “harden divisions that stymie evidence-based decision-making, deepening distrust.” @laureneeckert.bsky.social studied opinions on killer whale & salmon management & stresses conflicts can become #trust-building opportunities theconversation.com/in-the-salis...
Study reveals #anglers, #conservationists share surprising common ground in #orca #whale-#chinook #salmon fight. As ocean ecosystems continue to change, conflicts will likely increase, says @laureneeckert.bsky.social, now a postdoc at #UBCOceans www.vancouverisawesome.com/environment/...
Study reveals anglers, conservationists share surprising common ground in orca-chinook fight
Amid debate over protecting chinook salmon for southern resident killer whales, a study found anglers and conservationists share key values, which could resolve the conflict.
www.vancouverisawesome.com
August 25, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Study reveals #anglers, #conservationists share surprising common ground in #orca #whale-#chinook #salmon fight. As ocean ecosystems continue to change, conflicts will likely increase, says @laureneeckert.bsky.social, now a postdoc at #UBCOceans www.vancouverisawesome.com/environment/...
This is why Portland voted to name a bridge after that whale that killed its trainer.
The city said it was just the Chinook word for friends, but we all know why we voted for it.
The city said it was just the Chinook word for friends, but we all know why we voted for it.
August 23, 2025 at 2:09 AM
This is why Portland voted to name a bridge after that whale that killed its trainer.
The city said it was just the Chinook word for friends, but we all know why we voted for it.
The city said it was just the Chinook word for friends, but we all know why we voted for it.
New collaborative research out today with @raincoast.org explores the deep-roots of conflict over killer whale and Chinook management in the Salish Sea - proposing new approaches to transform intractable conflicts.
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
Study reveals anglers, conservationists share surprising common ground in orca-chinook fight
Amid debate over protecting chinook salmon for southern resident killer whales, a study found anglers and conservationists share key values, which could resolve the conflict.
www.timescolonist.com
August 21, 2025 at 5:32 PM
New collaborative research out today with @raincoast.org explores the deep-roots of conflict over killer whale and Chinook management in the Salish Sea - proposing new approaches to transform intractable conflicts.
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
Conflicts over ecosystem management - like those roiling over Southern Resident killer whale protection measures and Chinook fishing in the Salish Sea - are too often oversimplified and mismanaged.
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
August 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Conflicts over ecosystem management - like those roiling over Southern Resident killer whale protection measures and Chinook fishing in the Salish Sea - are too often oversimplified and mismanaged.
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
www.timescolonist.com/environment/...
aquatic creatures and so on and so forth
August 20, 2025 at 7:38 AM
aquatic creatures and so on and so forth
Having a whale of a time: “Both BC resident and transient killer #whale populations have access to different Chinook #salmon runs in different places at different times of the year,” said Dr. Andrew Trites oceans.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
August 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Having a whale of a time: “Both BC resident and transient killer #whale populations have access to different Chinook #salmon runs in different places at different times of the year,” said Dr. Andrew Trites oceans.ubc.ca/news-and-eve...
In British Columbia, two populations of resident killer #whales feed on Chinook #salmon. While northern resident killer whales have been steadily increasing in numbers over the past few decades, southern residents have not. A whale of a time? Not really. oceans.ubc.ca/ocean-idioms/
July 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
In British Columbia, two populations of resident killer #whales feed on Chinook #salmon. While northern resident killer whales have been steadily increasing in numbers over the past few decades, southern residents have not. A whale of a time? Not really. oceans.ubc.ca/ocean-idioms/
Going with a local hero: Southern Resident Killer Whale! Only about 70 of them left in the Pacific Northwest, mainly due to their preferred diet being Chinook salmon. Pollution (including noise), are also factors. They are culturally iconic, and spiritually important to PNW Indigenous peoples.
May 16, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Going with a local hero: Southern Resident Killer Whale! Only about 70 of them left in the Pacific Northwest, mainly due to their preferred diet being Chinook salmon. Pollution (including noise), are also factors. They are culturally iconic, and spiritually important to PNW Indigenous peoples.
On point placement of a related link in this article about the newest member of J pod from www.kuow.org/stories/enda...
April 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
On point placement of a related link in this article about the newest member of J pod from www.kuow.org/stories/enda...
The Coastal Commission supported the South Yuba River Citizens League with a Whale Tail® Grant that brought students on a Salmon Expedition to see Chinook salmon spawning.🧵
@yubariverpeople.bsky.social
#whaletailgrants #coastalcommission #chinooksalmon #nisenan #watershedawareness #californiacoast
@yubariverpeople.bsky.social
#whaletailgrants #coastalcommission #chinooksalmon #nisenan #watershedawareness #californiacoast
March 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The Coastal Commission supported the South Yuba River Citizens League with a Whale Tail® Grant that brought students on a Salmon Expedition to see Chinook salmon spawning.🧵
@yubariverpeople.bsky.social
#whaletailgrants #coastalcommission #chinooksalmon #nisenan #watershedawareness #californiacoast
@yubariverpeople.bsky.social
#whaletailgrants #coastalcommission #chinooksalmon #nisenan #watershedawareness #californiacoast
Photography + science + conservation 📷🐳🌲🐟
February 24, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Photography + science + conservation 📷🐳🌲🐟
#Salmon #Chinooksalmon #whale
For years, we've said that Southern resident #orca had low population numbers because they weren't getting enough food to breed. If true, it's not a shortage of Chinook salmon; they probably have more salmon than northern pods
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
For years, we've said that Southern resident #orca had low population numbers because they weren't getting enough food to breed. If true, it's not a shortage of Chinook salmon; they probably have more salmon than northern pods
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
November 28, 2024 at 4:01 AM
#Salmon #Chinooksalmon #whale
For years, we've said that Southern resident #orca had low population numbers because they weren't getting enough food to breed. If true, it's not a shortage of Chinook salmon; they probably have more salmon than northern pods
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
For years, we've said that Southern resident #orca had low population numbers because they weren't getting enough food to breed. If true, it's not a shortage of Chinook salmon; they probably have more salmon than northern pods
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
“And what we found was the opposite of what we expected, what was predicted,” said Dr. Andrew Trites, “the prevalence of chinook was double in the Southern Resident Killer Whale habitat.” @ubcmarinemammal #BurakSaygili www.kcaw.org/2024/11/25/n... via @ravenradio
New study of salmon abundance prompts a rethink of endangered killer whale decline - KCAW
Some new research is challenging the established scientific thinking about why an endangered population of killer whales in Puget Sound continues to be in jeopardy. The animals were at the center of a...
www.kcaw.org
November 27, 2024 at 8:00 PM
“And what we found was the opposite of what we expected, what was predicted,” said Dr. Andrew Trites, “the prevalence of chinook was double in the Southern Resident Killer Whale habitat.” @ubcmarinemammal #BurakSaygili www.kcaw.org/2024/11/25/n... via @ravenradio
New study of #salmon abundance prompts rethink of endangered killer #whale decline. What we found was the opposite of what we expected said Dr. Andrew Trites. The prevalence of chinook was double in the Southern resident habitat www.kcaw.org/2024/11/25/n...
New study of salmon abundance prompts a rethink of endangered killer whale decline - KCAW
Some new research is challenging the established scientific thinking about why an endangered population of killer whales in Puget Sound continues to be in jeopardy. The animals were at the center of a...
www.kcaw.org
November 26, 2024 at 5:26 PM
New study of #salmon abundance prompts rethink of endangered killer #whale decline. What we found was the opposite of what we expected said Dr. Andrew Trites. The prevalence of chinook was double in the Southern resident habitat www.kcaw.org/2024/11/25/n...
Monitoring ecosystem services with essential ecosystem service variables
Schwantes+
doi.org/10.1002/fee....
quantifies changes in
water quality filtration
commercial Chinook salmon fisheries
orca whale-watching
at different spatial scales in British Columbia, Canada:
Schwantes+
doi.org/10.1002/fee....
quantifies changes in
water quality filtration
commercial Chinook salmon fisheries
orca whale-watching
at different spatial scales in British Columbia, Canada:
![Potential links between essential ecosystem service variables (EESVs) and information needs among the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) (IPBES 2019; Brauman et al. 2020), System of Environmental Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) (see Annex 6.1 in United Nations et al. [2021]), and the Global Biodiversity Framework of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (*see CBD [2022] for complete descriptions of Goals and Targets [T]). Suggested links are only illustrative, not exhaustive. Terms within the same light gray rectangle are indicative of shared underlying information needs (EESVs), demonstrating the potential of EESVs to harmonize metrics across frameworks, a step toward interoperability.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ywyuzuhkwv4v7mmacshr6nyc/bafkreifwrdau76ja6pbpdses2ctqvgv6ajkp3lpyazcx6o4unx6aykgxw4@jpeg)
August 20, 2024 at 7:12 PM
Monitoring ecosystem services with essential ecosystem service variables
Schwantes+
doi.org/10.1002/fee....
quantifies changes in
water quality filtration
commercial Chinook salmon fisheries
orca whale-watching
at different spatial scales in British Columbia, Canada:
Schwantes+
doi.org/10.1002/fee....
quantifies changes in
water quality filtration
commercial Chinook salmon fisheries
orca whale-watching
at different spatial scales in British Columbia, Canada: