A record-breaking number of Bigg’s killer whales and humpback whales were sighted in the region last year.
Bigg's killer whale dorsal fins. Courtesy of Mollie Naccarato/Sooke Coastal Explorations
It was a banner year for several whale species in Seattle-area waters with double the sightings of one species of orca from a mere five years earlier, according to theLast year saw a record-breaking number of sightings of Bigg’s killer whales — also known as transients — and humpback whales in the waters of Washington state and British Columbia, according to year-end data compiled by PWWA and local whale researchers.
to this population are: underwater vessel traffic noise, habitat disturbances and environmental contaminants, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.Gless said the remarkable comeback of the other species — which are affected by noise and habitat pollution as well — could indicate that food availability is paramount.
Southern resident killer whales rely solely on salmon for food. And, despite measures in recent years to remove dams and protect the rivers and creek where salmon spawn, the fish numbers remain in decline."The reason humpback whales have come back is because we stopped hunting them," said Gless. "The reason the Bigg's are back is because we stopped hunting the seals and sea lions they eat.
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