Jpod Returns To Puget Sound in Search of Wild Salmon!

Presence of SRKW Directly Related to Presence of Fall Salmon

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA (October 16, 2020) – The return of Jpod to Puget Sound today is the second time this month this pod of beloved Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW)—also known as Orcas—have entered Puget Sound. The pod’s first foray into Puget Sound this fall occurred on October 5-6, as they briefly traveled through Puget Sound on the hunt for fall runs of wild Chinook, Coho, and Chum salmon.

With the recent wet weather the region has been experiencing, streams and rivers throughout the region are now primed for the return of wild spawning salmon, which in turn, brings the whales. These fall salmon runs are a critical part of the SRKWs diet and provide much needed sustenance to these spectacular marine mammals which require up to 300-400 pounds of fish every day to survive.

Fall visits to Puget Sound are nothing new. Southern Resident killer whales are generally regular visitors to our urban region every fall as they navigate the inland waterways in search of fall runs of Chinook, Coho, and Chum salmon which return each year to spawn in rivers and streams throughout Puget Sound. 

What is new this year is two new additions to Jpod have recently joined the pod in just the past two months, so these forays into Puget Sound are particularly exciting for those who hope to get a glimpse of the baby whales as they pass throughout Puget Sound. The new Jpod calves, designated J57 and J58, were born on September 4 and September 24, respectively. Both babies were looking healthy and active when last sighted off San Juan Island October 7. 

While the new calves will sustain themselves solely on mother’s milk for the first year, their nutritional needs make successfully finding salmon that much more important for their mothers, Tahlequah (J35) and Eclipse (J41).

The PWWA encourages boaters to follow our best-practices and professional guidelines by slowing to under 7 knots when within 1/2 mile of whales, remain 300 yards away from Southern Resident whales, do not cross or stop directly in the path of whales, respectfully enjoy their presence and enthusiastically support salmon protection and salmon habitat restoration efforts in your cities and neighborhoods.