The Wild Fish Conservancy’s Kurt Beardslee and Wild Orca’s Deborah Giles join the podcast to discuss salmon fisheries in Southeast Alaska. Wild Fish Conservancy has worked to halt the fishery in court to protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales and salmon populations. Deborah Giles breaks down how important these fish are to killer whales often …
Continue reading “A Group Sues the Government Over Alaskan Fisheries Impacting Endangered Orcas”
Some of the most insightful and vital new scientific research is also the least invasive. Researchers such as Dr. Holly Fearnbach are able to use advancing drone technologies to take photos of whales and measure their health over time. Learn more from SR3 on their blog including a recent encounter with J pod in March …
Continue reading “Dr. Holly Fearnbach – studying body condition of whales using overhead photos”
After decades of litigation, the Columbia and Snake River dams are once again under federal analysis. These salmon were once an enormous contributor of salmon for people, orcas, and wildlife. Their bodies contributed nutrients to marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Now, the Columbia Basin is home to endangered or even extinct runs of salmon. Executive Director …
Flooding on the Chehalis River prompted a proposal to build a new dam on one of the most pristine rivers in Washington State. As of today, salmon in this river are doing relatively well and Southern Resident killer whales depend on them. Learn more from Lee First of Twin Harbors Waterkeeper and Cindy Hansen of …
Ropes from fishing gear entangle many species of whales every year. If these lines don’t kill the animal, detrimental injuries often reduce their fitness and ability to forage. The group SMELTS has developed a unique piece of gear utilizing technology for fishermen to call up their gear on demand using a “lift bag” or essentially …
Continue reading “Rich Riels Describes How “Line-less” Fishing Gear can Save Whales”
Gloria Pancrazi, one of the creators of the upcoming film, Coextinction, joins us to talk about Southern Resident killer whales and their close relationship with imperiled salmon runs. Plus, learn more about the upcoming “March for the Dams,” a walk from Portland to the first of the four lower Snake River Dams. *Note, the federal …
Author Monika Wieland Shields joins us to discuss her book, Endangered Orcas: The Story of the Southern Residents. Learn how and why she started writing the book, her process, and hopes for the future. Monika tells the story of these whales from her personal experiences and also from a scientific standpoint, catching up the reader …
In March of 2019 L pod made an appearance in California capturing media attention following a dearth of sightings. That got Southern Resident killer whale enthusiasts asking what they were eating. Although this area is a normal part of the whales’ range, less attention is sometimes given to the importance of this habitat and the …
Continue reading “Robert Lusardi: Dams and the state of Klamath River salmon”
Dr. Greg Ruggerone joins us in-studio to discuss interesting biennial trends related to the boom and bust abundance levels of pink salmon and Southern Resident killer whale births and deaths. Since Southern Resident killer whales don’t directly prey upon pink salmon in a significant way, what’s the connection here? Dr. Greg Ruggerone walks us through …
Erin Corra from FOLKS (Friends of Lime Kiln Society) gives us all the details for the party of the century on San Juan Island. The final event of Orca Month, June 30th, 2019 will mark exactly 100 years since the Lime Kiln Lighthouse was first lit June 30th, 1919! More information from the San Juan …
Continue reading “Lime Kiln Lighthouse Centennial Celebration!”
