Getting too close to a southern resident orca could net a boater a fine of $300 to $3,000.
SEATTLE — In an effort to protect skinny, pregnant and endangered killer whales this summer, commercial whale-watching boats are under an emergency order to stay a half nautical mile away from southern resident orcas.
A killer whale expert with the state told KIRO 7 on Friday that at last count, there were only 73 southern resident orcas left.Twelve of the orcas were determined to be too skinny for their age. The good news is that several of the orcas are pregnant, but it is a very vulnerable time for them, as female orcas in particular will give up combing for food when boats come within 400 yards. That means boat proximity is very concerning for pregnant or nursing mothers caring for their calves.
Photos provided by WDFW showed orca J27 from 2018 to 2022. You can see the adult male orca is much thinner now.