Fall 2019
New birth among the Southern Residents of Vancouver !
On July 7th, researchers at the Center for Whale Research confirmed a new baby orca born. The little girl, probably born May 24, 2019, is designated J56.
The birth of a female orca is particularly good news for the endangered southern residents.
Good news but it will take 10-15 years before she would start having calves of her own. We hope this new calf will survive!
Three more deaths among the Southern Residents
Still at the heart of discussions since the mourning of Tahlequah.
On August 7th, only one month after the wonderful news of a new birth, we were all deeply saddened by the passing of J17 (femelle -42), L84 (male – 29) and K25 (male – 28), all from different populations. They had not been seen since winter 2018. These deaths reduce the population to only 73 left.
The graphics below gives a precise census on the population. The violet curve concerns all three populations:
Orcas feed mainly on Chinook. Salmon getting rare because of human activities. Ken Balcomb, from the Center for Whale Research says “orcas do not eat words, they eat salmon. »
When can we hope to see serious and visible measures?
These billboards will be visible in the Seattle area during the next few weeks. They will raise awareness of the orca’s plight.
SOURCES :
https://www.facebook.com/SalishSeaOrcas/?__tn__=kCH-R&eid=ARDzMdZzlxOdLkoXzWUQaJKiNOo9WaA8GnWnYakrk7rqyPf_IYHAg-xhvAYCtMKue13oPERMzIaFdqYk&hc_ref=ARSmapVCx7TAeiNzIwRInd0FW3ESD1_G1tSujjRzna2RS-3y6XSF-9VXrOyfHMUnGnI&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARAa848IjvR0wRYUMGQ3IRTTYsFrFlvRGGGh5rcSg7qNYVV0fEEKowS66PvhloaDs6LXn3mHV-eVfIyYNldzTGMjg9EW966qFZ2elrHCbi5kWBEbb6JGgiVtqsiN5Jj8ndzEcyX8zEcnA6WuDsiMtupY8Ju-jvhBRLeMbbAiPedZ3_ffapTQwrHaVUeg0VTt4PjJRJJEy0ylOCFgjgwfpUtyesDC1OdoE49BBI5XNLIrChZ6gWFYIDgZ7sLit3Uf8U38A7S0XfNya_tHB2ZOU4SKYfSMyX2XBTK18Se4FrSjDF5RjBxLrEREWmVZKNp1T89vgfi6tnV7JYTEYcboC-lWx3QQp3ac9qPn5_ed0yOvbWIsb3BRWDL5LAqstgKyRrl7lJbUDiAPuOrq9P2BkGwN64i4cDDMa6dL0Z13stBKn0yclNkPZwu0PhR3qtJ_9UhhgrJWOmN2Sw8hQ5c1vZrYrRB05r6qTRREVxjdV8PVQiTY5ijzNQ
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1251676/orques-killer-whales-salish-vancouver-baleines-cetaces-espece-menace?fbclid=IwAR190on2nrmkhL5CN-MyQuc7o9a7LMqOqfv8I6i2mTv0SNDQOikYMZ0MvEQ
https://www.whaleresearch.com/july2019population
Whale Jail comes to an end
Belugas and killer whales held captive since summer 2018 are finally on their way to freedom!
Since mid-June, all 97 cetaceans are being transported by truck and then by boat to their place of capture. A trip taking about 5 days. The Russian Prime Minister estimates a total of 4 months to rehabilitate all the animals.
The first rehabilitation included two orcas and six belugas. Three weeks later, the second rehabilitation included three orcas. The third group of orcas (two females and one male) were currently on their way to the ocean around August 2nd.
Orcas alone are worth almost $100 million! Marine parks have grown out of fashion in Europe and in the United States. However, they are extremely popular in China with 78 marine parks and 26 under construction:
SOURCES :
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/06/russia-moves-orcas-and-belugas-from-whale-jail/
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/orcas-killer-whale-jail-russia-released-11846864
https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/whale-aid-russia-the-first-releases/https://whalesanctuaryproject.org/release-of-first-orcas-and-belugas-from-whale-jail-raises-growing-concerns/
Taiji 2019 – 2020 season
Japan Fisheries Agency has issued the quotas for the next six months:
So far:
- Week from September 2nd to 8th: 5 slaughtered, 19 captive selection
- Week from September 9th to 15th: 21 slaughtered, 16 captive selection
- Week from September 16th to 22nd: 29 slauhtered, 6 captive selection
SOURCES :