With the unfortunate news of the recent death of a newborn female orca within the beloved southern resident orca population, we welcome new rules now in place to ensure boaters in Washington waters remain 1,000 yards away from this vulnerable population. The new rules, passed by the state Legislature in 2023 and took effect from January 1, 2025, are intended to reduce vessel noise (which has proven to be one of the key threats to J, K, and L pods), and allow the whales to forage and rest with minimal disturbance.
The ruling applies to operators of motorised vessels and paddle craft such as kayaks and paddleboards. Giving these orcas their space and doing the right thing now to ensure their protection is crucial for their future survival.
Photo Credit: NOAA/Brad Hanson
