Orcas are a treasured symbol of the Pacific Northwest....

... but only 75 Southern Resident orcas remain.

Southern Resident orcas, listed as endangered in Canada and the US, typically spend most of the year in the Salish Sea, except for the winter where they disperse to hunt salmon elsewhere on the North Pacific coast, from California to Alaska. They are a key member of this ecosystem; meaning that if they are gone, the entire habitat would be affected. 

The problem is three-fold:

• Lack of food – specifically Chinook salmon
• Noise pollution and vessel disturbance
• Environmental contaminants

Trillions of plastic particles are entering the ocean and the marine food web, causing endangered Southern Resident orcas to be one of the most contaminated marine mammal populations on the planet.

What is GSA doing about it?

Georgia Strait Alliance’s focus on the Salish Sea has always included advocacy and education on contaminants, from its very early days with the ToxicSmart program encouraging toxic-free homes and gardens, and improved treatment of effluents from pulp and paper mills, to advocating for tertiary treatment for wastewater, and oil spill preparedness.

By protecting the habitat of orcas, we are protecting it for all other species in the food chain on which they (and we) depend. And by picking up litter - especially plastics - before it even gets into the water, we are helping reduce the number of plastic particles entering the ocean and the marine food web - and contaminating the orcas.  Following in the footsteps of beach cleanup experts Surfrider  and the  Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup , GSA is launching this Plogging for Orcas Challenge to do its part. As scientific studies emerge about the impact of microplastics in marine food webs, we encourage you to be mindful of your plastic use, and to h elp keep the waters of the Salish Sea clean and hospitable for orcas to thrive in.

But we and the orcas need a little extra help. 

What you can do:

• Pick up that trash you see on your own walks, jogs, or bike rides by the beach.
• Reduce your single-use plastic use.
• Donate today to support GSA's work - any amount helps!
• Share with your family and friends! Your power is not just in what you give… but in who you can inspire as well.

And as a thank you… we will keep you updated on our progress and share exclusive content. Stay tuned! (You may unsubscribe at any time.)

Thank you! 

To receive exclusive updates about Southern Resident populations, join the Orca Action Team!