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New study suggests shipping traffic a smaller factor
A pod of orcas in the Pacific. PHOTO COURTESY NOAA.
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY —Recovering Chinook salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest is probably the key to killer whale conservation efforts, according to new research based on measurements of hormone levels in the marine mammals.
The southern resident killer whales, living in coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest, have been struggling and some researchers think it’s primarily because of increase ship traffic in the region.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, they are also threatened by pollution and other human activities in many parts of their range.
But new research suggests the marine mammals are struggling mainly because of inadequate prey.The study was led led by Katherine Ayres, who completed the work while at University of Washington in Seattle. (more…)
Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, Environment, Marine biology | Tagged: Chinook salmon, Katherine Ayres, killer whales, Orcas, Pacific Northwest, southern resident killer whales | Leave a Comment »
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