The orcas returned. Help us tell their story

I spent some time this fall on northern Vancouver Island preparing new episodes of The Salmon People podcast.  It was a different experience from my previous trips to the Island.  This time, I heard encouraging stories about whales and salmon. The southern resident killer whales or orcas surprised everyone by returning in July and staying on. Most recently, when I wrote this, some of them were still hanging around.

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The orcas have been missed because, who doesn’t want to see the majesty of these incredible mammals as they swim nearby. But their absence is also a harbinger of the ecosystem’s ill health. Everyone knows when the orcas don’t appear it’s because there isn’t much salmon in the area for them to eat.  

So that was the other good news.  Social media was jumping with descriptions of chinook salmon in one area, pink in another, and chum so abundant that Fisheries and Oceans officials opened the commercial chum fishery in Johnstone Strait. 

 But like so much that depends on climate and environment the return of the whales and salmon was greeted with cautionary joy.

People in B.C. counted the number of whales they saw because southern resident killer whales are listed as endangered by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. And if the return is one or two or three short, it makes people nervous. Salmon species are at risk too, particularly sockeye and chinook.  

Many people hoped and dared to believe that the increased salmon returns were connected to the closure of 42 fish farms since 2021. And they were looking forward to the day when Fisheries Minister Diane LeBoutillier’s total ban on fish farms kicks in, come 2029.But there is also apprehension about the decision being overturned if there is change in government after the upcoming federal election. Our journalists will be asking politicians to explain their plans to fight climate change and protect the environment that supports whales and salmon. Our analysts and commentators will be going deeper to inform you as you make voting decisions.

But of course, we need your help to do all that. 

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