Southern resident killer whales are returning to Puget Sound for the first time since April

ADMIRALTY INLET, Washington – Members of the endangered southern resident killer whale population were spotted in Puget Sound for the first time this fall.

This sighting was highly anticipated by researchers and enthusiasts, as October 5 was the first whale sighting south of Admiralty Inlet since April 11.

“It’s the beginning of the season when we who live near the inland waters of the greater Puget Sound region are blessed with visits from our beloved Southern Orcas. Now is the time to keep an eye out for them and hope for the thrill of spotting them flying along our shores,” said Susan Berta, executive director of the Orca Network.

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the southern resident killer whale population consists of three stable social groups called pods J, K and L.

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A team of scientists recently photographed a new killer whale calf with its mother in a stunning drone video shot in late September.

The Center for Whale Research said the new calf belongs to pod L. According to the Orca Conservancy (OC), pod L is the largest of the three pods of southerners and has about 34 members.

The Orca Network whale watching network confirmed that killer whales seen south of Admiralty Inlet were members of Pod J after receiving sighting reports. According to the network, the whales were heard on the Bush Point hydrophone and were seen traveling between Whidbey Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.

“Puget Sound is a key feeding area for southerners in the fall. They regularly travel to this region in pursuit of Chum salmon, which constitute the vast majority of their diet in the fall and early winter,” said Dr. Michael Weiss, research director at the San Juan Island Whale Research Center.

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Current regulations for those using recreational craft require maintaining a minimum distance of 300 yards from southern residents (400 yards in front of or behind them) and turning off transmissions if whales come closer than this if it is navigationally safe to do so.

“All recreational watercraft users are subject to the same distance rules from orcas,” said Stephanie Raymond of Orca Network’s Share the Water boating education program. “If you encounter killer whales on the water and you don’t know the differences between Residents and Biggies, it’s best to assume they are Residents and keep your distance.”

On January 1, 2025, new regulations will come into force and increase the minimum distance to 1,000 yards.