Declared by Washington’s Governor in 2007, Orca Awareness Month (started by long-time orca education and advocacy group, Orca Network) began as an awareness campaign to bring the plight of the endangered Southern Resident orcas, along with the threats they face, to the forefront of the region. The campaign successfully gained traction, grew, and has since evolved into Orca Action Month, with Oregon and British Columbia joining in the events and festivities every year as of 2016. The aim of Orca Action Month is to bring together orca experts, researchers, agencies, educators, advocates, and orca lovers everywhere to inspire people to take the actions necessary to recover this imperiled orca community. As Orca Action Month grew, coordination efforts were joined by the Orca Salmon Alliance (OSA), comprised of 17 organizations that aim to highlight the connection between two iconic endangered species that need help: Southern Resident orcas and Chinook salmon. OSA and Orca Month Coordinators encourage everyone to come together as one big community to celebrate, and act on the behalf of, the endangered Southern Resident orcas of the Salish Sea. There are events throughout June for every orca lover out there! Members of the Orca Salmon Alliance are:
Center for Biological Diversity | Defenders of Wildlife | Earthjustice | Endangered Species Coalition | Friends of the San Juans | Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) | Oceana | Orca Network | Puget Soundkeeper Alliance | Save Our Wild Salmon | Seattle Aquarium | Sound Action | Toxic-Free Future | Washington Conservation Action | Whale and Dolphin Conservation | Whale Scout | Wild Orca
A special thanks to our British Columbia partners: Georgia Strait Alliance
When out boating on these beautiful, warm spring and summer days, please follow the BeWhaleWise.org regulations when boating within the presence of whales. Rules pertaining to endangered Southern Resident orcas: you must slow your vessel to under 7 knots within a half nautical mile of their pod, keep 300 yards parallel away from the whales, and 400 yards away when in front of, or behind, the path of travel of the pod.
