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Inbreeding: A Conservation Challenge for Iconic Killer Whales

New genome sequencing reveals the reason behind Southern Resident killer whales' failure to thrive.
March 30, 2023 - Podcast ,
West Coast
A black and white Southern Resident killer whale leaping out of the water. The fin of another whale is visible and a boat and mountains are in the background.

Inbreeding Contributes to Decline of Endangered Killer Whales

New genome sequencing shows Southern Residents are highly inbred.
March 20, 2023 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
An adult orca is swimming underwater, and a calf is next to its dorsal fin. The calf is surfacing from the water.

Southern Residents Work Harder For Prey, But Catch Fewer Fish, New Research Finds

Researchers compared foraging of two resident killer whale populations. Southern Resident Connections - Post 29
March 07, 2023 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Southern Resident killer whale jumping out of the water

Sharper Picture of Salmon in the Ocean Resets Threshold for Fishing Limits

Science estimates there are fewer Chinook salmon in endangered whale habitat than previously thought. Southern Resident Connections - Post 28
February 10, 2023 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Young salmon held in a gloved hand Vessels fishing for Pacific hake, shown here, sometimes inadvertently catch salmon in the wintertime fishery. The catch locations help understand the distribution of salmon in the ocean in winter. Photo by Jeff Bash/NOAA Fisheries.

50 Years of Protecting Marine Mammals

A look at the Marine Mammal Protection Act's many advancements and accomplishments in the last 50 years.
February 02, 2023 - Podcast ,
National
Pair of bottlenose dolphins Pair of bottlenose dolphins. Credit: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center/Lisa Morse.

Coordinated Response Protected Southern Residents From Sunken Ship Leaking Oil

NOAA Fisheries and partners diverted endangered whales from potential harm and learned lessons along the way. Southern Resident Connections - Post 27
January 27, 2023 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
arial view of oil sheen on water next to island

The Mystery of the Entangled Oregon Orca

Intensive search for killer whale carcass leads to an answer hidden in its DNA.
December 15, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Entangled Orca carcass floating belly up A fisherman first saw and photographed the orca carcass on June 26 about 30 miles from Newport, Oregon.

New Voluntary Slowdown for Commercial Ships Aims to Quiet the Sound for Endangered Killer Whales

Reduced speed reduces underwater noise that interferes with killer whale foraging. Southern Resident Connections - Post 26
November 28, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
Orca pod in Puget Sound with large ferry in the background Orca pod swims in the Puget Sound as a ferry transits in the background. Credit: Candice Emmons/NWFSC

Intern Spotlight: Students Analyze Connection Between Skagit River Dams, Chinook Salmon, and Southern Resident Orcas

Summer assignment involved crunching decades of data on salmon and whales. Southern Resident Connections - Post 25
October 24, 2022 - Feature Story ,
West Coast
People aboard a boat smiling at the camera Alexa Haucke (Left) and Jenna Callan (Right) touring the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.

Celebrating 50 Years of Marine Mammals in the Spotlight

NOAA Fisheries celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This landmark legislation protects all marine mammals in U.S. waters, including four Species in the Spotlight.
October 19, 2022 - Feature Story ,
National
5184x3456-mom with twins.jpg Hawaiian monk seal Mom (GV18) with rare twin pups in May 2019 on Lisianski Island. Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Pete Leary.