Event Title
Exploring protection priorities for Southern Resident killer whale foraging areas
Presentation Abstract
The traditional core summer critical habitat of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) is located in the heart of the Salish Sea. Important foraging habitat, and fishing grounds for Coast Salish Tribes, commercial and recreational fishing lie along the westside of San Juan Island. The popularity of the area with local user groups and the fact that the whales are more vulnerable to disturbance from vessel noise and presence when they are feeding has made this area a priority for implementing management policies to reduce the impacts of vessels during critical foraging activities. The goal of this study was to define defensible management options that would allow the whales greater accessibility to their already scarce prey, Chinook salmon. A combination of acoustic and whale foraging hotspot studies were conducted along with a community engagement effort to inform social values and attitudes of local user groups. During 2019-2020 200 days of acoustic data were collected at four locations off the southwest side of San Juan Island. Key SRKW feeding areas were identified using data collected between 2003-2020. Focused surveys and targeted interviews provided an assessment of community values for the area. High priority foraging areas did not overlap with high boat use to the extent expected. Boat use varied across the study area with the highest boat and echosounder use detected in the areas also popular with recreational and commercial fishing, however, areas with the highest probability of foraging occurred along the southern edge of San Juan Island with the highest proportion taking place on Salmon Bank. Mandatory go-slow zones received wide support compared to no-go zones, but a combination of approaches may be required to achieve a balance that is both protective of the whales and continues to offer traditional uses by Tribes and the community.
Session Title
Southern Resident Killer Whales Vessel Impacts & Foraging Success
Conference Track
SSE5: Southern Resident Killer Whales and Vessel Impacts
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-345
Start Date
27-4-2022 11:30 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 1:00 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Exploring protection priorities for Southern Resident killer whale foraging areas
The traditional core summer critical habitat of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) is located in the heart of the Salish Sea. Important foraging habitat, and fishing grounds for Coast Salish Tribes, commercial and recreational fishing lie along the westside of San Juan Island. The popularity of the area with local user groups and the fact that the whales are more vulnerable to disturbance from vessel noise and presence when they are feeding has made this area a priority for implementing management policies to reduce the impacts of vessels during critical foraging activities. The goal of this study was to define defensible management options that would allow the whales greater accessibility to their already scarce prey, Chinook salmon. A combination of acoustic and whale foraging hotspot studies were conducted along with a community engagement effort to inform social values and attitudes of local user groups. During 2019-2020 200 days of acoustic data were collected at four locations off the southwest side of San Juan Island. Key SRKW feeding areas were identified using data collected between 2003-2020. Focused surveys and targeted interviews provided an assessment of community values for the area. High priority foraging areas did not overlap with high boat use to the extent expected. Boat use varied across the study area with the highest boat and echosounder use detected in the areas also popular with recreational and commercial fishing, however, areas with the highest probability of foraging occurred along the southern edge of San Juan Island with the highest proportion taking place on Salmon Bank. Mandatory go-slow zones received wide support compared to no-go zones, but a combination of approaches may be required to achieve a balance that is both protective of the whales and continues to offer traditional uses by Tribes and the community.
