Every 5 years, NOAA Fisheries reviews the status of species listed under the Endangered Species Act to make sure they have the protection they need. We have completed our review of endangered Southern Resident killer whales and confirm they should remain listed as endangered.
The review also underscores the work we must still do to recover this declining species. We have made important strides, including:
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Expanding critical habitat
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Limiting commercial and recreational Chinook salmon fishing in years of low abundance
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Releasing more salmon from hatcheries to supplement their prey
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Funding restoration of habitat essential to the salmon the whales depend on as prey
However, we must work with our partners to do more.
