State finds Southern Resident killer whales are ‘vulnerable’

OLYMPIA – With numerous whales in poor body condition and several pregnancies reported, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued an emergency order June 30 requiring commercial whale-watching vessels to keep at least one-half nautical mile away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales this summer. All boaters are urged to Be Whale Wise and do the same.

The emergency rule designates the whales in poor body condition and whales likely to still be in the latter stages of pregnancy as “vulnerable.” The designation offers the whales extra space and further protection as pa...