SEATTLE (AP) — Whale watchers in Puget Sound are going to have to look a little harder to see the region’s orcas.
The federal government has issued new rules to protect the endangered killer whales, including requiring all recreational vessels including kayaks to stay twice as far away as previously required — 200 yards instead of 100 yards.
NOAA Fisheries says noise from boats can interfere with the sensitive sonar the whales use to navigate and find food. Other factors threatening the orcas are a shortage of chinook salmon and water pollution.
The Puget Sound’s southern resident orca population was listed as endangered in late 2005. Since then their numbers have improved slightly, rising from 79 in 2001 to about 86 today.
The new rules take effect early next month. Commercial fishing boats, cargo ships traveling in established shipping lanes, and government and research vessels are exempt.
