Misty MacDuffee explains why Southern Resident killer whales are threatened by industrialization of the Salish Sea

On Monday, August 14th, Misty MacDuffee joined Adam Stirling on CFAX 1070 to discuss the plight of the Southern Resident killer whales. Adam Stirling raises questions regarding the growing threat of oil tankers and shipping traffic on all whales -and on both the east and west coasts of Canada. Since June, for example, there have been ten confirmed deaths of North Atlantic Right whales. Why? What does this mean for whales of the Salish Sea?

MacDuffee explains:

• the threat to Southern Resident killer whales and why human activities are responsible,
• how noise and disturbance from vessels interact with the whale’s ability to catch salmon,
• how hydrophones in the Salish Sea help us identify and locate whales,
• the impact of sound pollution on killer whales,
• how Chinook Salmon populations, shipping and killer whales intersect in Haro Strait.

It’s a fascinating interview and we hope you listen.

Related articles

• BC government signals challenge for Trans Mountain pipeline on legal grounds
• BC’s marine mammals vulnerable to oil spills – especially killer whales
• New Raincoast research paper examines the “what if” of oil spills

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