Your Signature is Needed: tell the NMFS to protect orcas’ food supply

Hello Friend, I have good news and bad news. First the GOOD NEWS – scientists just discovered that a new baby orca was born to J pod of the Southern Resident orcas in Puget Sound! The emotional discovery was made just after Christmas by researchers and the calf is believed to be only a few days old. This may be the baby of a first-time mother named Suttles. This news provides some much-needed hope for J pod and all three pods which make up the Southern Resident orca population of the Salish Sea. But this baby was lucky to be born, because two-thirds of Southern resident pregnancies end in miscarriage due to insufficient food. Now I’m sad to share the bad news: Being born was just the first of many difficult challenges this baby must endure. The new calf has to survive in circumstances that threaten even adult orcas. And tragically many orca calves do not survive long due to a lack of Chinook salmon, and ever-present pollution, and underwater noise that they can’t escape. Even with this birth, the number of Southern Resident orcas is only 75, one of the lowest counts in almost 40 years! [YOU CAN HELP THIS BABY ORCA SURVIVE.]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( If we are to revive this highly endangered Southern Resident killer whale population, replenishing Chinook salmon is a crucial first step. Pregnant orca mamas, with an 18-month gestation period, are highly vulnerable and must consume up to 300 pounds of fish daily to sustain their pregnancies. Unfortunately, with a drastic decline in Chinook salmon populations, 69% of orca pregnancies end in miscarriage. Furthermore, immediately after birth, orca mamas need to provide 40% fat milk to their infants. Insufficient Chinook salmon makes this task extremely challenging, resulting in a newborn orca mortality rate as high as 50%. The fate of Southern Resident orcas hinges on the availability of Chinook salmon. That’s why I am urging you to demand that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) takes bold steps to curb greedy overfishing companies that threaten the existence of these beloved whales. [You have a crucial role to play in helping these endangered orcas survive. Please Take Immediate Action!]( The devastating effects of overfishing aren’t just bad for orcas. This irresponsible practice also harms local residents. In these close-knit coastal communities, overfishing threatens traditional fishing practices and families who have relied on the bounty of the sea for generations find their livelihoods hanging in the balance. Indeed, declining salmon stocks threaten the economic stability of the whole region, impacting not just fishing, but local businesses and tourism. And the loss of marine biodiversity jeopardizes the resilience of these communities in the face of climate change. [By taking action now, you will be helping both orcas and coastal communities!]( [SIGN THE PETITION]( Time is of the essence in our mission to save endangered orcas from extinction and protect local communities. You can help demand immediate action from NMFS to end corporate overfishing of Chinook salmon. Please stand with me to protect these magnificent creatures and secure a sustainable future for their population. Thank you! Marcie Keever Oceans & Vessels Program Director Friends of the Earth Contact Us: Friends of the Earth U.S. Washington, D.C. | Berkeley, CA 1-877-843-8687 [Contact us](foe.org/about-us/contact/) Email Preferences: [Click here to unsubscribe]( Learn more: www.foe.org/news www.foe.org/about-us www.foeaction.org Connect: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Flickr]( © 2021, Friends of the Earth. All Rights Reserved. [supporter]