The killer whale is the largest member of the dolphin family. The population of Southern Resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest is one of the most critically endangered marine mammals. Learn about our work to protect and conserve killer whales.
Killer Whale
Orcinus orca
Also Known As
Orca
Protected Status
ESA Endangered
Southern Resident DPS
MMPA Protected
Throughout its Range
MMPA Depleted
AT1 Transient stock
CITES Appendix II
Throughout its Range
SPAW Annex II
Throughout the Wider Caribbean Region
Quick Facts
Weight
Up to 11 tons
Length
Up to 32 feet
Lifespan
30 to 90 years
Threats
Chemical contaminants,
Disturbance from vessel traffic and noise,
Entanglement in fishing gear,
Food limitations,
Oil spills
Region
Alaska,
New England/Mid-Atlantic,
Pacific Islands,
Southeast,
West Coast
Pod of killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Pod of killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
About the Species
Pod of killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Pod of killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
The killer whale, also known as orca, is the ocean’s top predator. It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins. Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species, such as long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales, whose common names also contain "whale" instead of "dolphin."
Found in every ocean in the world, they are the most widely distributed of all cetaceans (whales and dolphins). Scientific studies have revealed many different populations with several distinct ecotypes (or forms) of killer whales worldwide—some of which may be different species or subspecies. They are one of the most recognizable marine mammals, with their distinctive black and white bodies. Globally, killer whales occur in a wide range of habitats, in both open seas and coastal waters. Taken as a whole, the species has the most varied diet of all cetaceans, but different populations are usually specialized in their foraging behavior and diet. They often use a coordinated hunting strategy, working as a team like a pack of wolves.
Hunters and fishermen once targeted killer whales. As a result, historical threats to killer whales included commercial hunting and culling to protect fisheries from killer whales. In addition, although live capture of killer whales for aquarium display and marine parks no longer occurs in the United States, it continues to remain a threat globally. Today, some killer whale populations face many other threats, including food limitations, chemical contaminants, and disturbances from vessel traffic and sound. Efforts to establish critical habitat, set protective regulations, and restore prey stocks are essential to conservation, especially for the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population.
All killer whale populations are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Only two populations receive additional special protections under federal law:
Southern Resident Distinct Population Segment (DPS) (listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act
AT1 Transient stock (designated as depleted under the MMPA)
Southern Resident killer whales are the only endangered population of killer whales in the United States, ranging from central California to southeast Alaska. Long-term commitments across state and international borders are needed to stabilize the Southern Resident population and prevent their extinction. The Southern Resident killer whale is one of NOAA Fisheries' Species in the Spotlight. This initiative includes animals considered most at risk for extinction and prioritizes recovery efforts.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to the conservation of killer whales and the protection and recovery of endangered populations. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study and protect them. We also work with our partners to develop regulations and management plans that protect killer whales and their food sources, decrease contaminants in oceans, reduce ocean noise, and raise awareness about the whales and the actions people can take to support their recovery.
Population Status
Several different populations and ecotypes of killer whales are found throughout the world. NOAA Fisheries estimates population size in our stock assessment reports. It is estimated that there are around 50,000 killer whales globally. Approximately 2,500 killer whales live in the eastern North Pacific Ocean—home to the most well-studied killer whale populations.
In recent decades, several populations of killer whales have declined and some have become endangered. The population of AT1 Transients, a stock of Transient killer whales in the eastern North Pacific, has been reduced from 22 to 7 whales since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. In 2004, NOAA Fisheries designated this stock as depleted under the MMPA based on the results of the status review (PDF, 25 pages).
Scientists estimate the minimum historical population size of Southern Residents in the eastern North Pacific was about 140 animals. Following live-capture in the 1960s for use in marine mammal parks, 71 animals remained in 1974. Although there was some growth in the population in the 1970s and 1980s, with a peak of 98 animals in 1995, the population experienced a decline of almost 20 percent in the late 1990s, leaving 80 whales in 2001. The 2020 population census counted only 72 whales, and three new calves have been born following the census bringing the total of this struggling population to 75. In 2003, NOAA Fisheries began a research and conservation program with congressional funding to address the dwindling population. Southern Residents were listed as Endangered in 2005 under the ESA and a recovery plan was completed in 2008.
Killer whales are mostly black on top with white undersides and white patches near the eyes. They also have a gray or white saddle patch behind the dorsal fin. These markings vary widely between individuals and populations. Adult males develop disproportionately larger pectoral flippers, dorsal fins, tail flukes, and girths than females.
Killer whales are highly social, and most live in social groups called pods (groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time). Individual whales tend to stay in their natal pods. Pods typically consist of a few to 20 or more animals, and larger groups sometimes form for temporary social interactions, mating, or seasonal concentrations of prey.
Killer whales rely on underwater sound to feed, communicate, and navigate. Pod members communicate with each other through clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls. Each pod in the eastern North Pacific possesses a unique set of calls that are learned and culturally transmitted among individuals. These calls maintain group cohesion and serve as family badges.
Although the diet of killer whales depends to some extent on what is available where they live, it is primarily determined by the culture (i.e., learned hunting tactics) of each ecotype. For example, one ecotype of killer whales in the U.S. Pacific Northwest (called Residents) exclusively eats fish, mainly salmon, and another ecotype in the same area (Transients or Bigg’s killer whales) primarily eats marine mammals and squid.
Killer whales often use a coordinated hunting strategy and work as a team to catch prey. They are considered an apex predator, eating at the top of the food web.
Where They Live
Killer whales are found in all oceans. While they are most abundant in colder waters like Antarctica, Norway, and Alaska, they are also found in tropical and subtropical waters. The most well-studied killer whale populations occur in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Resident killer whales have been seen from California to Russia. Offshore killer whales have the largest range of any community, and often occur more than 9 miles offshore. They are not, however, exclusively “offshore”, as they are sometimes seen in coastal nearshore waters. Transient killer whales also occur throughout the eastern North Pacific, and are often seen in coastal waters. Their habitat sometimes overlaps with Resident and Offshore killer whales.
World map providing approximate representation of the killer whale's range.
Lifespan & Reproduction
The average lifespan for male killer whales is about 30 years, but they can live up to at least 60 years. Females typically live about 50 years, but can live up to at least 90 years in the wild.
Females reach sexual maturity when they are between 10 and 13 years old. They are typically pregnant for 15 to 18 months and give birth to a single calf. Calves nurse exclusively for at least a year, but remain in close association with their mother for the first two years. There is no distinct calving season, so birth can take place in any month. The birth rate for killer whales is not well understood. In some populations, birth rate is estimated at every 5 years for an average period of 25 years. Killer whales, beluga whales, narwhals, short-finned pilot whales, and humans are the only known species that go through menopause.
Threats
Entanglement
Killer whales are at high risk of becoming entangled in fishing gear. Once entangled, whales may drag and swim with attached gear for long distances or be anchored in place and unable to swim. Events such as these result in fatigue, compromised feeding ability, or severe injury, which may ultimately lead to death.
Lack of Food
Overfishing and habitat loss have decreased the amount of prey available to some killer whales. Without enough prey, killer whales might experience decreased reproductive rates and increased mortality rates. This threat is especially important for Southern Resident killer whales because some populations of their preferred prey, Chinook salmon, are also threatened or endangered.
Contaminants
Contaminants enter ocean waters and sediments from many sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, sewer outfalls, and pesticide application. Once in the environment, these substances move up the food web and accumulate in top predators, such as killer whales because of their long lifespan, position at the top of the food chain, and blubber stores. These contaminants can harm killer whales’ immune and reproductive systems.
Despite modern pollution controls, chemical contamination through the food web continues to threaten killer whales. These controls have reduced, but not eliminated, many contaminants in the environment. Additionally, some of these contaminants persist in the marine environment for decades and continue to threaten marine life.
Oil Spills
The 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, was strongly correlated with the direct loss of individual killer whales. However, oil spills can also have an indirect impact on killer whales by affecting the abundance of prey species. In addition, the bioaccumulation of certain contaminants, like those found in oil, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the food web can be seen in apex predators like killer whales—and particularly among the transient population.
Disturbance from Vessels and Sound
When vessels are present, killer whales hunt less and travel more. Noise interference from vessels, as well as from industrial and military activities, interrupts killer whales’ ability to use sound, which in turn disturbs their feeding, communication, and orientation. Increased vessel noise causes Southern Resident killer whales to call louder, expending more energy in the process.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Cetacea
Family
Delphinidae
Genus
Orcinus
Species
orca
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 01/14/2025
What We Do
Conservation & Management
All killer whales are protected under the MMPA and the Southern Resident population is listed as an endangered species under the ESA. We have focused our conservation efforts to help rebuild endangered and depleted populations on the West Coast and Alaska. Targeted management actions taken to secure protections for these whales and their habitat include:
Protecting killer whale habitat
Implementing coast-wide salmon recovery actions
Collaborating with partners on mitigating contaminants
Preventing oil spills and improving response preparation
Minimizing whale watching harassment and reducing vessel impacts
Our research projects have discovered new aspects of killer whale biology, behavior, and ecology and helped us better understand the threats killer whales’ face. This research is especially important in rebuilding endangered and depleted populations and informing management decisions. Our work includes:
Collecting prey and fecal samples to learn about diet and health
Aerial photogrammetry to assess body condition and reproduction
Measuring the response of animals to sound using digital acoustic recording tags
Measuring pollutant transfer from mothers to offspring
Viewing whales from shore decreases the number of boats on the water, which reduces underwater noise that can disturb killer whales.
The Whale Trail includes many land-based observation sites where you can view and learn about killer whales and other marine mammals. Sites are available in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California.
Keep Your Distance
Be responsible when viewing marine life in the wild. Observe all small whales from a safe distance of at least 100 yards by sea or land.
In Washington State inland waters, it is illegal to approach a killer whale within 200 yards. Please visit Be Whale Wise for more specific instructions.
Report a sick, injured, entangled, stranded, or dead animal to make sure professional responders and scientists know about it and can take appropriate action. Numerous organizations around the country are trained and ready to respond. Never approach or try to save an injured or entangled animal yourself—it can be dangerous to both the animal and you.
Call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964 to report a federal marine resource violation. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone in the United States.
A team of responders assists a young male killer whale stranded at Carmel River State Beach on Tuesday, September 10. The 10-foot whale later died during transport to a laboratory in Santa Cruz. Photo by The Marine Mammal Center under NMFS permit 24359.
A male orca travels quickly near a large cargo ship transiting through the Salish Sea. Image taken under NOAA permit. Credit: Candice Emmons/NOAA Fisheries
Killer whales were once considered monotypic (belonging to one species), but many lines of evidence show that several distinct lineages, or even subspecies, of killer whales exist.
There are three main types of killer whales in the North Pacific: Resident, Transient, and Offshore. Each ecotype differs in appearance, diet, habitat, genetics, and behavior. While all three types share at least part of their habitats, they are not known to interbreed with each other.
Image
Killer whales in Alaska. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Holly Fearnbach
Resident Killer Whales
Resident killer whales have rounded dorsal fins and a wide variety of saddle patch markings (the white patch behind their dorsal fins). They range from California to Russia and live in large groups. Four populations of Resident killer whales occur in the Pacific Northwest:
Resident killer whales usually eat different varieties of fish, primarily salmon. Southern Resident killer whales prefer Chinook salmon, some of which are endangered.
Transient Killer Whales
Transient killer whales have straighter dorsal fins and have primarily solid white saddle patches. They live throughout the coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest in small groups. Transient killer whales’ diets are more varied and can include squid and other marine mammals such as seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, and other whale species.
Offshore Killer Whales
Offshore killer whales have rounded dorsal fins, a variety of saddle patch patterns, and are generally smaller than the other types of killer whales. They are seen in large groups and have the largest range that can occur up to 9 miles offshore. Offshore killer whales eat fish, including sharks.
Other Populations
In addition to the three ecotypes, distinct populations of killer whales exist throughout the world. Populations are smaller groups within each type of killer whale. For example, there are four different populations of Resident killer whales. Each population has its own unique diet, behaviors, social structure, and habitat.
Killer Whale Social Structure and Behavior
Outside of the North Pacific, other populations of killer whales also have specialized diets. Off the coast of Norway, killer whales feed mainly on herring and other schooling fish. In waters off New Zealand, some killer whales eat stingrays and sharks. In Antarctic waters, killer whales eat minke whales, seals, or Antarctic toothfish. In contrast to killer whales in the North Pacific where specialized diets are characteristic of different ecotypes, killer whales in the Northeast Atlantic are believed to eat both herring and seals.
Killer whales are highly social and individual whales tend to stay in their original pods. Pods typically consist of two to 15 animals, but larger groups sometimes form for temporary social interaction, mating, or seasonal availability of food. Pods differ in size due to behavioral differences, the availability of food, and the number of whales living in a given area.
Pod members communicate with each other through underwater sounds such as clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls. Each pod in the Pacific Northwest possesses a unique set of sounds that are learned and culturally transmitted among individuals. These sounds help keep groups together and serve as family badges.
Pods also work together to hunt. They use a coordinated hunting strategy and work as a team to catch prey.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 01/14/2025
In the Spotlight
Southern Resident Killer Whale
The Southern Resident killer whales are one of NOAA Fisheries' Species in the Spotlight. This initiative is a concerted agency-wide effort launched in 2015 to spotlight and save the most highly at-risk marine species.
Image
The endangered Southern Residents are an icon of the Pacific Northwest and inspire widespread public interest, curiosity, and awe around the globe. Southern Residents face depleted prey, disturbance from vessels and sound, and show high levels of contaminants from pollutants.
In 2003, NOAA Fisheries began a research and conservation program with congressional funding. This research program is ongoing and has contributed to knowledge of factors affecting the health and recovery of the Southern Resident killer whales. In 2005, the Southern Residents were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and a recovery plan was completed in 2008.
The population continues to struggle and has declined over 10 percent since 2005. The summer population census for 2020 counted only 72 Southern Resident killer whales with several new calves born since the census. We have come a long way in our understanding and ability to protect this unique population, and in 2014 we summarized a decade of research and conservation activities in a special report.
Where Southern Resident Killer Whales Live
Image
During the spring, summer, and fall, the range of Southern Resident killer whales includes the inland waterways of Washington State and the transboundary waters between the United States and Canada.
During the spring, summer, and fall, the range of Southern Resident killer whales includes the coastal and inland waterways of Washington State and the transboundary waters between the United States and Canada. We have been learning more about their winter movements and range through dedicated and collaborative research efforts. They have been spotted as far south as central California during the winter months and as far north as Southeast Alaska. In recent years, we have increased our knowledge about their coastal habitat use through passive acoustic monitoring and the collection of new sightings.
Population Status
Scientists estimate the minimum historical population of Southern Residents numbered about 140 animals. Following a live-capture fishery in the 1960s, 71 animals remained in 1974. Although there was some growth in the population in the 1970s and 1980s, with a peak of 98 animals in 1995, the population experienced a decline of almost 20 percent in the late 1990s, leaving 80 whales in 2001. The most recent population in 2020 counted only 72 Southern Resident killer whales.
Threats
Image
Noise and overcrowding from boat traffic, high contaminant levels, as well as a scarce supply of their preferred prey—salmon—pose serious threats to this endangered population.
It is hoped that focused efforts and critical investments within NOAA Fisheries, and continued engagement with our vital partners, will stabilize and prevent the Southern Resident killer whale’s extinction. Past research has shown that some of the most important threats facing the whales, such as prey limitation and high contaminant levels, cannot be addressed without a long-term commitment. Recovery of threatened and endangered salmon, for example, is a monumental task in itself and is expected to take many years.
The threat of contaminants is also challenging, particularly because the whales remain contaminated by chemicals that were banned decades ago. NOAA Fisheries implemented vessel regulations in 2011 and coordinates with Washington State and Canada on vessel guidelines and regulations. Some mysteries also persist. For example, are there health issues, like disease, that we have not yet uncovered? Will increases in salmon abundance benefit the Southern Resident whales, or will any increases be consumed by other salmon predators? We also must consider new threats and actions as we look to a future with climate change, new alternative ocean energy projects, and continuing development along our coasts and in our ports. In the next 5 to 10 years, several high-priority projects are planned to help answer these remaining questions and inform management actions to advance recovery.
Research Activities
New information on coastal distribution and habitat use, gathered from both acoustic monitoring and satellite tagging, have informed a proposal for additional critical habitat for the whales. Digital acoustic suction cup tags are shedding light on foraging behavior for the whales and how finding and catching salmon may be affected by vessels and sound. Seasonal health assessments, habitat use, and understanding body condition changes and times and places with prey limitations will all be taken into consideration when determining the need for additional conservation actions.
Species Recovery
With more than 10 years of funding, collaboration, and ingenuity, we have taken substantial and important steps to aid Southern Resident killer whale recovery. Research projects have illuminated new aspects of killer whale biology, behavior, and ecology and helped us better understand the challenges this population faces. Targeted management actions, informed by research, have been taken to secure protections for the whales and their habitat, including:
Image
The threat of contaminants is challenging, particularly because the whales remain contaminated by chemicals that were banned decades ago.
Designation of more than 2,500 square miles of critical habitat in inland waters of Washington and a proposal for more than 15,600 square miles of critical habitat along the Washington, Oregon and California coasts
Regulations to protect the whales from vessel effects
Coordination with coastwide efforts to implement salmon recovery actions
Collaboration with partners on monitoring and minimization of harmful contaminants and learning more about other threats to whale health
Oil spill response plans to ensure we are prepared in the event of a spill
Understanding the factors that affect the whales' health will help us identify the most important threats, how they interact, and what we can do to reduce their effects. New technologies are being developed to better understand risks of disease, assess individual body condition, and gain a better understanding of the health effects of carrying large contaminant burdens. We also plan to explore additional management actions outlined in the recovery plan to stabilize the population.
Recovery of the Southern Residents and their preferred salmon prey, as well as protection of their broad and diverse habitat, is a long-term process that requires support over a large geographic area, from California to southeast Alaska. The continued success of research and conservation programs relies on leveraging resources and maximizing effects through partnerships. For example, the whales spend significant time in Canadian waters and are listed as endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act so transboundary coordination has been, and will continue to be, important to recovery.
Our recovery criteria are built around a timeframe of 14 to 28 years based on the biology of these long-lived animals. It will take at least that long for us to evaluate the effectiveness of the protective measures put in place in the past several years. The past federal funding and effort have secured a strong foundation of research and conservation, which we can build on to secure recovery of this iconic species for future generations.
Species in the Spotlight Priority Actions
We developed a Species in the Spotlight 2021–2025 Priority Action Plan that builds on the recovery plan and the 2016–2020 Priority Action Plan and details the focused efforts that are needed over the next five years. The plan lists key actions NOAA Fisheries and its partners can take from 2021 to 2025 to help recover the species. These actions include:
Image
Protect killer whales from harmful vessel effects.
Target conservation of critical prey.
Improve knowledge of killer whale health.
Raise awareness and inspire stewardship for killer whales.
In our first five years of the Species in the Spotlight initiative, we have:
Identified and prioritized essential Chinook salmon stocks to increase critical prey through coordinated salmon management and recovery
Reduced impacts of vessels through expanded enforcement and outreach to improve compliance with rules and guidelines
Developed new partnerships through Washington Governor's Orca Task Force
Used whale distribution and prey data to propose and expand designated critical habitat in coastal waters
Collected health samples using new technologies
Expanded outreach and education programs
2017 Species in the Spotlight Hero Award
Image
Jeff Hogan has partnered with NOAA for more than a decade and has helped implement many important recovery actions for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Jeff is the Executive Director of Killer Whale Tales, an environmental education program. It uses storytelling and field-based science to inspire students to take an active role in the conservation of Pacific Northwest killer whales.
In 2018, the Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force was established by Governor Jay Inslee. Governor Inslee brought state authorities, significant investments, and new members of the community to the ongoing fight to recover the iconic Southern Resident killer whales. The Task Force developed recommendations for short- and long-term actions needed to protect and recover Southern resident killer whales.
NOAA Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad presents the Partner in the Spotlight award to Michael Cline, NFWF Chairman of the Board. Credit: Holly Bamford, NFWF
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Killer Whale Research and Conservation Grant Program was established in 2015 through a contribution pledge from SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. The program has awarded 38 grants totaling more than $12.8 million, supporting projects to increase prey availability, improve habitat quality, and strengthen management through research. NFWF has also taken on special projects such as coordinating a workshop in 2018 to contribute to the Priority Prey Report and increasing education and awareness of the Be Whale Wise program.
Grace Ferrara (NOAA Fisheries) on right, presents Partner in the Spotlight Award to Rachel Aronson, Quiet Sound Program Director (center), and Caitlin O’Morchoe, Quiet Sound Program Manager (left). Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Quiet Sound, a program of Washington Maritime Blue, officially launched in December 2021 after several years of development to help fulfill recommendations of the Southern Resident Orca Task Force assembled by Washington Governor Jay Inslee to support implementation of shipping noise reduction initiatives. Once launched, Quiet Sound moved quickly to take action to reduce effects of noise on whales, launching five projects in their first year, and culminating in a successful voluntary slowdown for commercial vessels in October 2022-January 2023.
We work to protect all populations of killer whales. However, our management work primarily focuses on recovery of the endangered Southern Resident population.
Recovery Planning and Implementation
Recovery Action
Under the ESA, NOAA Fisheries develops and implements recovery plans for the conservation and survival of listed species. The ultimate goal of the Southern Resident killer whale recovery plan is to recover the species, with an interim goal of down-listing its status from endangered to threatened. The major actions recommended in the plan are:
Support salmon restoration efforts in the region to ensure an adequate prey base
Reduce existing and monitor emerging contaminants
Reduce vessel effects by improving whale watching guidelines and establishing regulations or protected areas as needed
Prevent oil spills and improve response preparation
Use available protections to minimize effects from human-caused sound
Enhance public awareness and education
Improve responses to live and dead killer whales
Coordinate efforts with Canadian agencies, and with U.S. federal and state partners
Conduct research to facilitate conservation efforts
Two Southern Resident killer whales. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Implementation
The ESA authorizes NOAA Fisheries to appoint recovery teams to help develop and implement recovery plans. Rather than convening a recovery team for Southern Resident killer whales, we used an open public process to engage as many interested stakeholder groups and individuals as possible and work with a variety of partners to implement the actions in the plan.
Critical Habitat
Once a species is listed under the ESA, NOAA Fisheries evaluates and identifies whether any areas meet the definition of critical habitat. Those areas may be designated as critical habitat through a rulemaking process. The designation of an area as critical habitat does not create a closed area, marine protected area, refuge, wilderness reserve, preservation, or other conservation area; nor does the designation affect land ownership. Federal agencies that undertake, fund, or permit activities that may affect these designated critical habitat areas are required to consult with NOAA Fisheries to ensure that their actions do not adversely modify or destroy designated critical habitat.
In 2006, NOAA Fisheries designated inland waters of Washington State as critical habitat for the Southern Resident killer whale. We designated this habitat because it contains three features essential to the conservation of Southern Residents:
Water quality to support growth and development
Enough prey to support individual growth, reproduction, and development, as well as overall population growth
Passage conditions to allow for migration, resting, and foraging
In 2014, NOAA Fisheries started a process to revise the critical habitat of Southern Residents in response to a petition (PDF, 35 pages). In 2021, NOAA Fisheries published a final rule to modify critical habitat to include coastal waters off of Washington, Oregon, and California.
Chinook salmon stocks are currently lower than historic levels, putting Southern Resident killer whales at risk for decreased reproductive rates and increased mortality rates. Some species of West Coast salmon are currently protected under the ESA and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NOAA Fisheries coordinates habitat restoration efforts in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California to help restore salmon runs. Our scientists have also organized workshops and panels to better understand the effects of salmon fisheries on Southern Resident killer whales.
Killer whales are especially vulnerable to chemical contaminants because they are at the top of the food web. To address this, NOAA joined the Puget Sound Partnership, a program that helps prevent contamination in Southern Resident habitat and collaborated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Washington State agencies to develop a plan to fill gaps in research and monitoring. NOAA's Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program, which cleans up existing contamination, also has several active projects in the Pacific Northwest and California.
Coordinating with Canadian Agencies, and U.S. Federal and State Partners
Because Southern Residents range from California to Alaska, recovery of their population requires cooperation across state and national borders. NOAA is coordinating with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Center for Whale Research, and other partners to conduct research and implement recovery actions.
Developing Vessel Regulations and Minimizing Whale Watching Harassment
NOAA Fisheries supports responsible viewing of marine mammals in the wild and has adopted a guideline to observe all marine mammals from a safe distance of at least 100 yards by sea or land.
NOAA Fisheries and Washington State have also taken steps to reduce threats to killer whales by regulating how close a vessel may get to the species in Washington State waters. This reduces disturbance to the animals and the potential for negative interactions. The federal regulations make it illegal to:
Approach within 200 yards of a Southern Resident killer whale
Position a vessel to be in the path of a Southern Resident whale at any point located within 400 yards of the whale
We work with many partners to promote the Be Whale Wise campaign to educate boaters on the regulations and viewing guidelines in place to protect killer whales and all marine mammals. We also encourage land-based whale watching, as part of the Whale Trail, as a way to enjoy viewing without any effects to the whales.
Overseeing Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response
We work with volunteer networks in all coastal states to respond to marine mammal strandings including all whales. When stranded animals are found alive, NOAA Fisheries and our partners assess the animal’s health and determine the best course of action. When stranded animals are found dead, our scientists work to understand and investigate the cause of death. Although the cause often remains unknown, scientists can sometimes attribute strandings to disease, harmful algal blooms, vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglements, pollution exposure, and underwater noise. Some strandings can serve as indicators of ocean health, giving insight into larger environmental issues that may also have implications for human health and welfare.
Killer whales have never been part of a declared unusual mortality event. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, an unusual mortality event is defined as "a stranding that is unexpected; involves a significant die-off of any marine mammal population; and demands immediate response." To understand the health of marine mammal populations, scientists study unusual mortality events.
All marine mammals, including killer whales, are protected in the United States under the MMPA. Southern Residents are listed as endangered under the ESA.
AT1 Transient Population
In 2002, the National Wildlife Federation petitioned (PDF, 10 pages) NOAA Fisheries to designate the AT1 Transient pod as depleted after its drastic decline following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. The spill was strongly correlated with the deaths of most of the AT1 Transient pod. There have been no observed births to the AT1 stock of the North Pacific transient killer whale population since 1984, and the population has steadily declined to 7 individuals.
In 2003, NOAA Fisheries reviewed a petition concerning the possibility that the AT1 killer whale group of Prince William Sound may be genetically distinct from other killer whales in Alaska, and may be depleted.
NOAA Fisheries scientists are leading the effort to answer key questions about the risk factors potentially affecting killer whales, with a special focus on the Southern Resident population. Current research focuses on killer whales’ behavior, ecology, health, and human-caused effects.
Shipboard Studies
Our scientists and collaborators collected length and width data for killer whales using both vessel-based laser photogrammetry and aerial photography from unmanned aerial systems (hexacopters). These metrics will be used to infer growth trends and current body condition, respectively, which will be related to trends in returning Chinook salmon—the whales’ primary prey. This research aims to provide a comparative assessment of nutritional status to guide management of these two protected populations.
A Southern Resident killer whale "spy hopping" off San Juan Island, Washington. Credit: NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Acoustic Science
NOAA Fisheries' researchers and collaborators use digital acoustic recording tags, recording the sounds they receive and the sounds they produce, to examine sound exposure, sound use, and behavior of Southern Residents in their summer habitat. This research helps address threats like vessel disturbance, noise exposure, and effects on feeding.
Measuring Contaminant Transfer From Mothers to Offspring
Scientists study the transfer of contaminants from mother to offspring through blood during gestation and through milk during lactation. This research helps us understand whether young whales are at greater risk than adults for negative health effects from contaminants.
Our scientists measure the metabolic cost (how much energy the whales used) of specific behavioral and acoustic responses to vessel disturbance. We use the results to assess the cumulative energetic costs of Southern Residents to vessel disturbance.
Determining the size of killer whale populations helps resource managers determine the success of conservation measures and regulations. Our scientists collect population information on killer whales from various sources and present the data in annual stock assessment reports.
Southern Resident Killer Whale Monitoring and Research
Killer whales occur in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic, including off the southeastern United States. Data from cetacean surveys during 1990–2021 and other sources were combined to assess killer whale biology, including spatial and temporal distribution, social structure, genetics, morphology, acoustics, and predatory behavior.
We use photos to identify, catalog, and study marine mammals in the Southeast. These photos provide important information about the health, social structure, abundance, and distribution of marine mammal populations.
We use photos to identify, catalog, and study marine mammals in the Southeast. These photos provide important information about the health, social structure, abundance, and distribution of marine mammal populations.
