A new bill signed into law Monday requires Washington boaters to keep at least 1,000 yards away from southern resident killer whales. FOX13
The southern resident killer whale numbers have dwindled over the decades, currently sitting at only 73. Contributing to their decline are lack of Chinook salmon, pollutants like PCBs in the water, inbreeding and noisy marine traffic.
The new bill addresses one of those factors—requiring vessels, including whale-watching boats, to refrain from approaching within 1,000 yards of orcas, up from 300 yards. "Orcas are such an emblematic symbol of Washington state’s ecosystem, but climate change and converging issues like noise pollution, food contaminants, and lack of salmon have worsened the species’ plight for years," said Sen. Lovelett , who sponsored the bill. "It’s crucial that we step in and provide as much support as possible to these iconic animals, and I’m proud of our work this session.
Lovelett’s office says this law puts in place the strictest vessel distancing requirements for orcas on the West Coast.
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