2019 ORCA FORUM
On May 10, 2019 Clallam MRC hosted a free public forum about Southern Resident Orca Whales. The forum was attended by more than 50 local residents. Four members from the Governor's Orca Recovery Task Force highlighted the current status of the orcas, and some of the Task Force recommendations. They discussed how the decreasing availability of Chinook salmon is impacting our orcas, the need to reduce toxins in our waters, funding for continuing restoration efforts, and how we can reduce noise or acoustic disturbance affecting the whales. The forum was facilitated by Ann Murphy President of the Northwest Straits Foundation and the speakers were:
- Dr. Rich Osborne, Whale Museum/Soundwatch/UW; Washington Coast Sustainable Salmon Partnership board, Science Seat on the Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force
- Dr. Todd Hass, Chair, Puget Sound Partnership, Vessels Task Force Lead; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force
- Dr. Scott Veirs, Chair, Puget Sound ecosystem monitoring program (PSEMP) Marine Mammal Work Group; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force
- Donna Sandstrom, Founder and Executive Director of The Whale Trail; member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force and Vessel Impacts Working Group.