Boaters reminded to give Southern Resident killer whales space with reports of 22 whales in poor condition

OLYMPIA – With summer boating and fishing seasons ramping up, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is reminding boaters of new laws requiring vessels to stay 1,000 yards away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) in Washington waters. 

The reminder comes as 22 SRKW were observed in poor body condition through drone photography conducted by SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research (SR3) between June and November 2024.

In past years, WDFW issued emergency rules requiring commercial whale watching vessels to stay more than 1,000 yards away from SRKW due to observations of whales in poor body condition. But thanks to legislation passed in 2023, all vessels, including recreational vessels and paddlecraft such as kayaks and paddleboards, are now required to keep that 1,000-yard distance year-round when the whales are in Washington waters.

“Southern Resident killer whales rely on sound — echolocation— to find food, and the noisy waters of Puget Sound can mean missed meals and hungry whales, especially during peak boating season,” said Julie Watson, Ph.D., WDFW’s killer whale policy lead. “When boaters avoid the whales and stay at least 1,000 yards away, they are immediately helping increase these whales’ ability to forage and communicate with each other.”

If a vessel finds itself within 1,000 yards of SRKW, the vessel operator must move away at a speed of 7 knots or less until they are 1,000 yards away. If an SRKW approaches within 400 yards of a vessel, boaters are required to disengage the transmission if it is safe to do so and wait until the whales move out of the area.

The 22 whales observed in poor condition are the most since this aerial photogrammetry began in 2008. In addition to the whales in poor condition, two orca calves were born in J Pod since late 2024, bringing the total number of remaining SRKW to 74 spread across J, K, and L pods. Numerous calves born in recent years have not survived, making it even more important to give these whales space and quiet. Seven of the 22 whales observed in poor condition are reproductive-age females.

“Unfortunately, we are continuing to see a disturbing trend in the body condition of SRKWs, with almost one-third of the population recently measured to be in poor body condition,” said Holly Fearnbach, marine mammal research director with SR3.  “This includes continued pod-level declines for J-pod (for the fifth year in a row) and the majority of whales in both J- and L-pods in poor body condition for the second year in a row. SRKWs in poor body condition have an elevated likelihood of mortality, making it imperative that SRKWs have access to an adequate supply of prey throughout the year. We continue monitoring SRKW body condition year-round, and hope to see improvements in the coming months.”

WDFW Enforcement officers will be on the water this summer to help ensure boaters know how to follow the new 1,000-yard distance. WDFW has developed a number of resources available on the Department’s website,  including helpful tools such as an orca rangefinder card, tips and tricks for telling distance from whales, and answers to frequently asked questions about the new regulations. 

To report violators, call WDFW Enforcement at 877-933-9847 or report online.

Be Whale Wise

While the new law in Washington requires boaters to stay 1,000 yards from the Southern Residents, Canadian waters have their own regulations, and there are different regulations in place for transient, or Bigg’s, killer whales that also frequent the Salish Sea and Washington coast. 

Because of the difficulty identifying differences between SRKW and Bigg’s killer whales at a distance, WDFW encourages boaters to treat all unidentified killer whales as though they are SRKW and stay 1,000 yards away. 

For more information about regulations in other waters and viewing rules for other marine mammals, as well as steps recreational boaters can take to keep the whales — and themselves — safe, visit BeWhaleWise.org.

Boaters are encouraged to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, an optional tool from the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, that lets others know that there might be whales nearby. If boaters see the flag, they should slow down and continue to follow Be Whale Wise guidelines and local regulations. Boaters can also plan their routes to avoid Southern Residents by checking the Whale Alert app.

Seeing whales can be a great way to connect with nature and learn about Washington’s marine ecosystem. The public can also view killer whales at shore-based sites along the Whale Trail. More information, including optimal viewing locations along Puget Sound and the Washington coast, is available on The Whale Trail’s website. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.