Astoria, OR – According to the ODFW officials, Southern Resident orcas now number just 75whales in three pods and have been listed as endangered under federal law since 2005.
Their reproductive potential is in danger of failure due to their smallpopulation size, inbreeding, and other reproductive issues.
Scarcity of prey, sound and vessel disturbance and exposure to high levels of contaminants are the primary reasons for their decline.
The Oregon coast is an important travel corridor for Southern Resident orcas in the K and L pods with the area near the Columbia River mouth serving as a foraging hotspot.
Oregon’s coastal waters were federally designated ascritical habitat in 2021.
The Commission also adopted survivalguidelines for Southern Resident orcas.
These are required under OESA and applyto actions proposed on state lands or waters and help guide state agencies that play a role in conservation until the Commission approves a management plan forthese agencies.
