Southern Resident Killer Whale Outreach

A: Riley Pollom, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve - Killer whales are identified by their saddle patch, which is a white pattern behind their dorsal fin. They can also be identified by unique patterns, scars, or wear on their dorsal fin. Similar to how humans have unique fingerprints, killer whales have unique saddle patches.

A: Krista Bohlen, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - We use hydrophones to have an ear underwater listening for what our eyes can’t detect above the surface. We are able to identify which cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are in the area by listening for their unique sounds. By analyzing these recordings, we can even narrow it down to which Southern Resident pod (J, K or L) we are listening to! While all pods share the same language, they each have a distinctive dialect of calls.

We also use the hydrophone to listen to the underwater noise that these whales are exposed to, such as engine noise from boats. This helps us better understand how to reduce noise disturbance for these highly social animals so they are able to continue communicating with one another.

A: Jennifer Yakimishyn, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - My favourite part of this research is the interconnectedness of the marine food web. The role of the little players in the Southern Resident Killer Whale food web is just as important as the health of big players, the orcas!

Phytoplankton and zooplankton form the basis of the marine food web by providing food for many marine animals ranging from grey whales to forage fish, including Pacific Sand Lance. Schools of forage fish are important food for seabirds and salmon, especially Chinook Salmon. Chinook Salmon, the largest of our coastal Pacific salmon species, are Southern Resident Killer Whales' favourite food. Each species plays an important role in this food web and protecting each ecosystem element is critical to the survival of the Southern Resident Killer Whales.

A: Krista Bohlen, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Eelgrass is an important habitat for juvenile fish species – much like an ocean nursery! For example, Chinook Salmon use eelgrass meadows to hide from predators when they are juveniles before they grow to larger sizes and become the favourite food source for Southern Resident Killer Whales.

In addition, eelgrass meadows sequester significant amounts of carbon which helps reduce the effects of climate change, making our oceans a healthier place for orcas and all other ocean life too!

A: Meag McCord, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve - The research and monitoring efforts around Southern Resident Killer Whales are incredibly collaborative. When I’m out on the water and see Southern Resident Killer Whales I alert my colleagues at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The team at Fisheries and Oceans Canada can immediately pull up any hydrophone data from the area to help identify the pod and can provide feedback to us within minutes. It’s the best science ever!

We also make sure to communicate with each other to ensure that we don’t have too many vessels out on the water at the same time. It’s important to give the Southern Resident Killer Whales space to communicate, rest and forage.

A: Jennifer Yakimishyn, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Pacific salmon, such as Chinook and Chum, are the favourite food for Resident Killer Whales. Pacific salmon populations are doing poorly due to many factors, including poor ocean survival and degraded freshwater spawning and rearing habitats.

The habitat of many salmon stream systems on the west coast of Vancouver Island were degraded due to historic logging. Restoration of these stream habitats not only support salmon and their young, but contributes to healthy coastal ecosystems including both terrestrial and marine habitats. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is home to important salmon bearing streams and marine corridors for migrating salmon. Parks Canada is working on identifying these important habitats and working with partners to restore important salmon streams in the area.

A: Nicole Kroeker, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites - Great question! Southern Resident Killer Whales typically spend the summer and fall months in the Salish Sea (Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound). There are some great shore-based whale watching spots in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and the Southern Residents even came to visit Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse earlier this summer. There is no magic word that will make the Southern Resident Killer Whales appear but “whale waiting” is all part of the experience. Grab a seat on shore, look out at the ocean and take it all in.

A: Krista Bohlen, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - The coolest moment I’ve experienced while in the field was witnessing J-56 “Tofino” breaching twice! It was a special moment not only because of how incredibly cute orca calves are, but also because J-56 is a light of hope for the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales.

Southern Resident Killer Whale pods are matriarchal in nature. Female orcas, like Tofino, hold special significance for the pods - passing on years of teachings and social and local knowledge that form the foundation of their complex culture. Given the struggle to birth healthy orca calves in recent years, and few newborn females, J-56 is a hopeful sight to see!