The West Side Swim The Southern resident killer whale population is currently protected in Washington waters under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). However, there is no legislation that specifies rules for the conservation of this specific group of animals. The Be Whale Wise guidelines provide suggestions for safe marine wildlife viewing in the Salish Sea but are not enforced by law. In 2009, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), proposed new vessel regulations for killer whales viewing. The proposal has three components: Initiating a “no-approach” zone of 200 meters. Maintaining the “slow down” zone of 400 meters, as established by the Be Whale Wise guidelines Creating a ½ mile “no-go” zone on the west side of San Juan Island from Mitchell Point to Eagle Point – an area that has been shown to be critical habitat for Southern residents. Because the NMFS proposed regulations would affect private vessels’ ability to interact with Southern resident killer whales and could impact the local whale watching industry, questions have been raised regarding the benefits of implementing new vessel rules. It is important to contextualize the proposed regulations by considering their potential to create a better living environment for the whales. With this goal in mind, the Beam Reach marine science and sustainability school conceptualized and created a multi-media representation of the Southern resident killer whales’ environment. Jason Wood, Beam Reach instructor and research curator at the Whale Museum, swam three miles off of Lime Kiln State Park, representing a whale swimming in an area that is located in the middle of the proposed “no-go” zone. Below, you will find information about each proposed vessel regulation along with audio recordings, photos, and videos made in conjunction with the “West Side Swim.” Click on the links to learn more about why each proposed regulation is important for the conservation of our resident orca population!

200 meter “No Approach” Zone

“No-Go” Protected Area

Visibility in the Salish Sea

Distance Matters!

West Side No-Go Zone