On March 14, 2018, Governor Jay Inslee signed an Executive Order directing immediate statewide action to benefit Southern Resident orcas, which are considered to be in imminent danger of extinction. View a video recording of the signing ceremony. 
 
 View state agency actions requested by the Governor 
 
 Orca recovery Task Force established 
 
 The Executive Order establishes a task force to coordinate with British Columbia, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Alaska in developing policy recommendations at the regional, state, and federal levels. The Governor asked the Puget Sound Partnership and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to team up in leading support for the task force, with assistance from the Office of Financial Management and the Governor’s Policy Office. At the Governor’s request, Stephanie Solien, vice chair of the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council, will co-chair the task force, along with Thomas (Les) Purce, formerly president of Evergreen State College and mayor of Pocatello, Idaho. The Governor invited Task Force participation from members of the legislature; the Government of Canada; representatives from tribal, federal, local and other state governments; the private sector; and the non-profit sector. The Task Force also includes designees from WDFW, the Partnership, and many other state agencies. 
 
 TASK FORCE SCHEDULE 
 
 First meeting: May 1, 2018, 10 to 4:30, Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey, WA View the meeting via TVW archives: Morning session: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018051003 Afternoon session: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018051004 
 
 https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018051003 https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018051004 Second meeting : June 14, 2018, 2018, Olympia, WA 
 
 : June 14, 2018, 2018, Olympia, WA Third meeting: August 7, 2018, Wenatchee, WA View the meeting via TVW archives: Morning session: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018081016 Afternoon session: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018081017 
 
 https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018081016 https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2018081017 Fourth meeting : August 28, 2018, Anacortes, WA 
 
 : August 28, 2018, Anacortes, WA ​ 10 am to 5 pm, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes 
 
 10 am to 5 pm, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes Fifth meeting: October 18, 2018, Lacey/Olympia, WA 
 
 October 18, 2018, Lacey/Olympia, WA ​ In Lacey/Olympia (times and venue TBD) 
 
 In Lacey/Olympia (times and venue TBD) Draft report due: October 1, 2018 
 
 Complete report due: November 1, 2018 (includes recommendations) 
 
 Followup report due: October 1, 2019 (outlines progress, lessons learned, outstanding needs) 
 
 Schedules and agendas for all Task Force and Working Group meetings are posted on Governor Inslee’s website at https://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/energy-environment/southern-resident-killer-whale-recovery-and-task-force 
 
 TASK FORCE MEMBERS 
 
 Phil Anderson, Pacific Salmon Council 
 
 JT Austin, Governor's Office 
 
 Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research 
 
 Lynne Barre, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
 
 Maia Bellon, Washington State Department of Ecology 
 
 Rep. Brian Blake (D), Legislative District 19, Aberdeen 
 
 Chad Bowechop, Makah Tribe 
 
 Bryce Campbell, Global Affairs Canada 
 
 Gary Chandler, Association of Washington Business 
 
 Karen Condon, Colville Confederated Tribes 
 
 Kaleen Cottingham, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office 
 
 Jeff Dickison, Squaxin Island Trivbe 
 
 Mark Doumit, Washington Forest Protection Association 
 
 Chairman Leonard Forsman, Suquamish Tribe 
 
 Ron Garner, Puget Sound Anglers 
 
 Joe Gaydos, The SeaDoc Society 
 
 Cecilia Gobin, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission 
 
 Brendan Flynn, Commercial Fisherman 
 
 Jeff Friedman, Pacific Whale Watch Association 
 
 Mayor Will Hall, City of Shoreline 
 
 George Harris, NW Marine Trade Association 
 
 Commissioner Andy Hover, Okanogan County 
 
 Chairman Jay Julius, Lummi Nation 
 
 B.J. Kieffer, Spokane Tribe 
 
 Rep. Drew MacEwen (R), Legislative District 35, Union 
 
 Paul McCollum, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe 
 
 Kelly McLain, Washington State Department of Agriculture 
 
 Virginia Painter, Washington State Parks 
 
 Commissioner Kathy Pittis, Port of Anacortes 
 
 Sen. Kevin Ranker (D), Legislative District 40, Orcas Island 
 
 Mindy Roberts, Washington Environmental Council 
 
 Sheida Sahandy, Puget Sound Partnership 
 
 Donna Sandstrom, The Whale Trail 
 
 Amy Scarton, Washington State Department of Transportation 
 
 Ron Schulz, Washington State Conservation Commission 
 
 Evan Sheffels, Washington State Farm Bureau 
 
 Brad Smith, Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission 
 
 Butch Smith, Ilwaco Charters 
 
 Commissioner Jamie Stephens, San Juan County 
 
 Kristin Swenddal, Washington State Department of Natural Resources 
 
 Trina Wellman, Northern Economics, Inc. 
 
 Jacques White, Long Live The Kings 
 
 Amy Windrope, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
 
 Chairman Tom Wooten, Samish Indian Nation 
 
 Southern Resident orca—endangered since 2005 
 
 Southern Resident orcas have been protected in the U.S. since 1972 under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), but continued population declines resulted in the orcas being listed as endangered in 2005 under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). In Canada, they are listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act. 
 
 Despite these protections, the population has fallen sharply over the past 20 years, from 98 in 1995 to 76 in 2018—a 22-percent decline. This represents the fewest Southern Resident orcas in more than three decades. 
 
 Three primary factors threaten the orcas: a lack of prey, principally Chinook salmon; toxic contaminants; and disturbance from vessel noise and traffic. 
 
 Recovery of orca depends on recovery of Chinook salmon 
 
 Chinook salmon comprise a large proportion of the diet of Southern Resident orcas. Reduced Chinook runs undermine the ability of the orcas to reproduce and recover. The Executive Order also aims to make prey more abundant for the orcas by creating healthier Chinook salmon runs. 
 
 Chinook salmon need a healthy and dependable environment in which to travel and reproduce, but are threatened by habitat loss, toxic pollutants (particularly those in stormwater runoff), streams blocked by development, predators, and newly arriving invasive fish. The loss of habitat and diminished water quality are key threats that led to the listing of Chinook salmon as a federally endangered species almost 20 years ago. 
 
 Executive Order requires immediate state agency action 
 
 The Executive Order details immediate action on the part of several state agencies, as summarized in the following table. 
 
 Due Date Agencies involved Action April 30, 2018 WDFW and Parks Increase enforcement and education concerning vessels and Chinook salmon fisheries April 30, 2018 Ecology Expand training programs that teach whale-watching vessels how to assist in the event of an oil spill April 30, 2018 WDFW Review and amend, as needed, 2018 recreational and commercial fishing regulations prioritizing protection of key areas and fish runs for Southern Resident orca recovery April 30, 2018 WDFW Explore options and develop a proposal to alter fish food used in state hatcheries to limit the amount of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the prey of Southern Resident orca July 1, 2018 Partnership, WDFW, Parks, DOL, GSRO Prioritize existing outreach resources to support Southern Resident orca recovery. Collaborate with the Governor’s Office to develop a public education program and identify needed resources July 31, 2018 WDFW (with review by the Partnership and GSRO) identify high priorities for Southern Resident orcas and adjust programs if needed July 31, 2018 Ecology Prioritize funding for stormwater mitigation projects that contribute to southern resident recovery December 15, 2018 Partnership, WDFW, GSRO Demonstrate how Chinook recovery projects benefit Southern Resident orca recovery for the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund, the Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Program, the Estuary and Salmon Restoration program, and the Washington Coastal Restoration Initiative 
 
 DOL = Washington Department of Licensing 
 
 Ecology = Washington Department of Ecology 
 
 GSRO = Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office 
 
 Parks = Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 
 
 The Partnership = Puget Sound Partnership 
 
 FOR MORE INFORMATION 
 
 WDFW = Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
 
 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries: federal agency responsible for enforcing the Marine Mammal Protection Act and implementing federal actions to recover Southern Resident orcas 
 
 http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/killer-whale.html 
 
 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: state agency responsible for protecting Washington state’s fish and wildlife 
 
 https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/marine_mammals.html 
 
 Washington State Department of Ecology: state agency responsible for protecting the quality of Washington’s marine and fresh waters 
 
 Water and shorelines programs: https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines 
 
 Oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response: https://ecology.wa.gov/Spills-Cleanup 
 
 Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office: housed within the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office, GSRO is charged with coordinating a statewide salmon recovery plan 
 
 https://rco.wa.gov/salmon_recovery/gsro.shtml 

 SEATTLE — For the last three years, not one calf has been born to the dwindling pods of black-and-white killer whales spouting geysers of mist off the coast in the Pacific Northwest. 
 
 Normally four or five calves would be born each year among this fairly unusual urban population of whales — pods named J, K and L. But most recently, the number of orcas here has dwindled to just 75, a 30-year low in what seems to be an inexorable, perplexing decline. 
 
 Listed as endangered since 2005, the orcas are essentially starving, as their primary prey, the Chinook, or king salmon, are dying off. Just last month, another one of the Southern Resident killer whales — one nicknamed “Crewser” that hadn’t been seen since last November — was presumed dead by the Center for Whale Research. 
 
 In March, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order directing state agencies to do more to protect the whales, and in May he convened the Southern Resident Orca Task Force, a group of state, tribal, provincial and federal officials, to devise ways to stem the loss of the beloved regional creature. “I believe we have orcas in our soul in this state,” he said. At another point, he wrote of the whales and Chinook salmon that “the impacts of letting these two species disappear would be felt for generations.” 

 In this Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, photo provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, (NOAA) a new baby orca swims alongside an adult whale, believed to be its mother, about 15 miles off the coast of Westport, Wash. AP PHOTO. 
 
 The Southern Resident orca pods are in a tough spot -- literally. 
 
 Their primary food source is dying off; the Trans Mountain Pipeline is expanding, which will increase the number of tankers trucking through the orcas' habitat by seven times, among other exposure risks like noise and spills. 
 
 And now comes the latest spot of bad news: For the last three years not one calf has been born to the shrinking pods of the black-and-white killer whales in the Pacific Northwest, resulting in a 30-year low in orca population. 
 
 The annual census of Puget Sound's resident orcas found that just 75 killer whales, across the three Southern Resident pods (J, K, and L), are still swimming through the Pacific Northwest waters. The J pod has 23 members, while K has 18, and L has 34. 
 
 In addition to finding no new births of Southern Residents, the census reported two missing and presumed dead members, 23-year-old Crewser (also known as L-92), and a 2-year-old calf named Sonic (J-52). 
 
 The cause of the dwindling supply? More of the same, according to many researchers who study the orca pod. Pollution, both old and new, accumulates in their primary prey, and gets stored in the fat on the orca, surpressing the immune system and making the whales more susceptible to disease. 
 
 Plus that prey, Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon), are not as big or plentiful as they once were. 
 
 "In 2017 -- a very poor year for Chinook -- and we're in the core area here where they used to feed almost daily," Ken Balcomb, a founder and senior scientist at the Center for Whale Research, said in video a last year. "We've seen the twice, three times this year. 
 
 "And the salmon (they do find) are smaller, much less numerous, and they are virtually all hatchery fish." 
 
 Additionally, the region they inhabit -- Haro Strait, between the San Juans and Vancouver Island -- is getting noisier. 
 
 "It's also essentially a big rock ditch where sound bounces off. When you add in commercial vessel traffic going to Vancouver, recreational boaters and whale watching operations, it's a pretty noisy place," Brad Hanson, team leader for recovery efforts for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, said to The New York Times. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Since orca bodies aren't generally recovered -- frequently sinking and becoming part of the ecosystem, or washing up on remote beaches -- researchers can't be sure what's behind the increase in deaths of the population. It could be a disease outbreak that the stress of their environment has made them more susceptible to, or it could be representative of a greater problem with the ecosystem, which has been warmed as much as six degrees above normal in some areas along the Pacific coast. 
 
 Steps are being taken: In March, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order directing the state agencies to do more, and two months later he convened a task force of state, tribal, provincial and federal officials to think of some solutions. 
 
 "The orca will not survive unless all of us in the state of Washington somehow make a commitment to their survival," Inslee said, when he signed the order. "The impacts of letting these two species disappear would be felt for generations." 
 
 His approach includes calls for more salmon, quieter boat traffic, clean up of toxics in the water, and reducing the number of oil spills. 
 
 In short, the Southern Resident population won't be going down without a fight. But some researchers say that there's going to have to be a commitment to saving the animals from more places than one. 
 
 "It's an ecosystem-wide problem," Hanson said. "Things are out of whack and we have to get them back to where we can sustain killer whales. And the clock is ticking."
– "I believe we have orcas in our soul in this state." Those were the words of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee earlier this year after forming the Southern Resident Orca Task Force, an initiative meant to keep endangered killer whales alive in the region. Contributing to their extinction there, per the New York Times, is the fact that they're starving to death as their main food source, Chinook salmon, disappears. KOMO reports that, per the latest census numbers, there are just 75 killer whales in the Pacific Northwest—a 30-year low. The orca population is also slowly decreasing in number there due to other factors, including fewer births (not a single calf has been born in the area in three years), a weakened gene pool that's partly due to companies like Sea World taking dozens of orcas out of circulation, and possibly even as part of an overall "marine ecosystem in collapse," per the Times. Pollution is also an issue—including pesticides found in the salmon the orcas devour at a rate of 30 or so a day, when they can get them—and a new pipeline project starting in August could further expose them to more threats, such as oil spills and tanker noise. Both the toxins and the commotion can further cripple the orcas' immune systems. There are even worries that the already weakened whales may succumb to a cross-species disease that finds its way to their pods. "I've had dreams about it at night," one worried vet says. One ongoing effort to help the whales thrive again is raising more Chinook salmon (also known as king salmon) in nearby hatcheries, but some aren't sure that's enough—and losing the whales would be devastating. "They are such a part of our identity here," one biologist says. "It would be a real sense of failure." (A grim first among orcas.)