First Salmon, Now Killer Whales Threatened with Extinction from California Water Problems
by Jennifer Lance in Availability, Marine Life
Last month, biologists warned killer whales’ existence is being threatened by California water issues that negatively affect salmon populations. Specifically endangered are the southern resident orcas that live in Puget Sound but have been seen as far south as Monterey Bay since 2000. There are 83 southern resident killer whales.
At blame is water diversion from the Delta. According to the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
In a draft scientific report, biologists conclude the damage that water operations are doing to California’s salmon populations is enough to threaten the orcas’ existence since they depend on salmon for food…The findings, contained in a draft report by the agency’s scientists, could elevate public support for environmental protection in the Delta, where the conflict between environmental advocates and water users has centered on Delta smelt, a nondescript fish that grows a couple of inches long and smells like cucumbers…Biologists last month reported tentatively that pumping water out of the Delta threatens to drive spring-run chinook salmon and winter-run chinook salmon extinct.
Last year, the collapse of Sacramento River chinook salmon fall-run not only closed commercial fishing season off the coast of California and Oregon, but it also caused the orcas to turn around. Southern resident orcas’ diet consists mostly of salmon eating about 500,000 pounds a year (80% chinook). In the winter, the whales move up and down the coast looking for food. For the last seven years, California salmon have provided an important food source for the whales.  This winter, the orcas swam about halfway down the coast of Oregon, then turned around due to lack of salmon to nourish the population.
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Posted on Mar 10, 2009
Availability, killer whales, marine life, ocean life, oceans, orcas, rivers, salmon, sea life, water conservation
About the Author
Jennifer Lance
Jennifer lives on 160 acres off-the-grid in a home built with her own two hands (and several more skilled pairs of hands) from forest fire salvaged timber. Her home is powered by a micro-hydro turbine, and she has been a vegetarian for 21 years. She graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in art education and has been teaching art to children for over 16 years. Jennifer is the founder and editor of Eco Child's Play.5 Responses to “First Salmon, Now Killer Whales Threatened with Extinction from California Water Problems”
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Jeff
Mar 11, 2009
I think we should kill all the orcas so there are more salmon. Salmon tastes WAY better than killer whale meat.
RoTAM
Mar 11, 2009
I’ll bet the orcas would find you a pretty tasty alternative to salmon if we offered you up, Jeff.
Chantelle Heether
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May 23, 2009
I think ignorant stupid f#$%in people shouldnt read well-thought articles. JEFF.
Mark
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Jun 17, 2009
The problems with the Delta Smelt are more linked to cities dumping untreated waste water into the Delta than the pumping of water to farmers. The decline coincides directly with the population boom in that area. Also the article title states the killer whales are threatened with extinction but the article states the killer whales simply went back to Puget Sound. This water issue is going to get ugly because there are farming towns in the Central Valley with 30-40% unemployment due to the lack of water.
Sharen
Sep 27, 2009
Jeff
I think we need to get rid of you first beucase already you sound selfish.