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PNW Salmon:

The first repercussion that comes up when we talk of increasing the SRKW population is how that effects the salmon population of the Pacific Northwest.

Salmon are an integral part to PNW life. They are part of culture and sustenance. They are a staple for the Northwest community. Salmon already face population struggles because of dams, pollution and other struggles humans have introduced. If we fight for the population of the Southern Resident Killer Whales (whose main food source is Salmon) what happens to the already troubled Salmon population?

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The above photo* (click to enlarge) shows the pattern of Salmon movements in relations to the Pacific Northwest Killer Whale movements. Their pathways are bound to cross and the Resident Killer whales are fish eaters, not mammal eaters. So, the Orcas do add to the depreciation of Salmon, a Keystone species of the Pacific Northwest. Chinook Salmon (the main food source for PNW Orcas) are on the endangered species list, although not because of the Orca.

The main threats* facing the salmon right now are:

  • Overexploitation– by overfishing and diverting/overusing water sources
  • Dams– Altering speed of water flows and blocking access to natal streams
  • Habitat Loss
  • Development

The real threat to the Salmon is us. Our decimation of the Salmon is actually what is leading to the decline of the Orca, not the Orca as the source of salmon depreciation. Although the Orca poses a threat to the salmon, they are not the greatest threat.  A part of the Recovery Plan for the Orcas is an in depth plan for Salmon recovery as well, but its success is dependent on our participation. This type of relationship takes another predator (us) being willing to step back from the populations so that they can thrive.

Still, although we are the greatest threat to the salmon, will attempts to bring back a thriving Orca population derail success of rehabilitation of the salmon population. The fault may lie on us, but if we are taking the responsibility of reestablishing the salmon we must take that into account. It seems harsh to say that it is an “either/or” situation, but I feel that may be the case. Even now, the new Orcas that are being born are dying. Some analyze that they are starving because of lack of food source. If that is the case, it means we need more salmon. I think it might be possible that the best option would be focus. If energies could be put to the Salmon population for an allotted amount of time while sidelining the Orca project there may be an increase in population. Once there is a stable salmon population attentions may then be turned toward the Orca population, and they would be able to be sustained by a thriving salmon population. The realities of people focusing attentions on one at a time is slim, but I feel that trying to do both at once is an uphill climb that may have no return.

Other Repercussions of increased whale presence:

A higher population of whales would also pose a potential threat to:

  • Fishing commerce- With more Orcas eating more fish there is a potential for less fish available for industry.
  • Tourism- With a larger population of Orcas there may be more of an influx of those wanting to see the whales.
  • Environment- The population of Orcas will change the ocean environment as it grows and change environmental needs.
  • Desire for whaling- as the Orca population grows there is potential for some wanting to reinstate the rights to hunting.

All in all, the potential repercussions that a rising Orca population presents can be countered by human efforts. With a 28- year recovery plan there will be many stages of new information as far as repercussion. What we know now gives the idea that there will be conquerable repercussions when it comes to SRKW population growth.

Sources*:

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yPlKzPGFUvwC&oi=fnd&pg=PA113&dq=%22Pacific+Northwest+Orca%22&ots=Es594fczn0&sig=oVqnVdscgiZJpun6MSlHbbIgRDs#v=onepage&q&f=true

https://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Animals/Archives/2006/Orcas-on-the-Edge.aspx