HomeMy WebLinkAbout121622 Court Recommends Halting Alaska’s Unsustainable Harvest to Protect Wild Chinook and Southern Resident Killer Whales________________________________
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In a massive international and coast-wide decision for wild Chinook and Southern Resident killer whale recovery, Seattle’s federal Court issued a landmark opinion on Tuesday that recommends
terminating unsustainable commercial salmon harvest that has persisted for decades until new environmental reviews of those fisheries occur.
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Southern Resident Killer Whale J19 “Sachi” leaping in Puget Sound, August 2022 (Wild Orca, Taken under NMFS permit # 26288, wildorca.org <https://default.salsalabs.org/T6d827344-4ffc-4784-8219-6fff05
ccc944/e1f9ba72-dc83-4f20-90cd-07d9d1ee41b3> )
Court Recommends Halting Alaska’s Unsustainable Harvest to Protect Wild Chinook and Southern Resident Killer Whales
We are thrilled to share and celebrate with you the expected outcome of our court victory for the recovery of the Northwest's critically endangered Southern Resident orcas and the wild
Chinook they depend on.
In a massive international and coast-wide decision for wild Chinook and Southern Resident killer whale recovery, Seattle’s federal Court issued a landmark opinion on Tuesday that recommends
terminating unsustainable commercial salmon harvest that has persisted for decades until new environmental reviews of those fisheries occur. That overfishing was found in a previous
ruling to illegally harm the recovery of both endangered Southern Resident killer whales and wild Chinook salmon across the Pacific Northwest.
On Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michelle Peterson issued a report and recommendation on Wild Fish Conservancy’s lawsuit, agreeing that halting the summer and winter seasons of the
Southeast Alaska Chinook troll fishery is the most appropriate remedy. Simultaneously, the judge found the federal government’s inadequate biological opinion should be remanded back
to NOAA in order for the agency to address violations of environmental law.
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Scientists have identified lack of large and abundant Chinook salmon as the primary cause of the decline of the Southern Resident killer whale population. Photo by: Jeremy Koreski <https://default.sa
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“I want to emphasize that Alaskan fishers are not to blame for NOAA’s chronic mismanagement of this fishery, and we are sympathetic to the burden this decision may pose on Southeast
Alaskan communities,” says Emma Helverson, Executive Director of Wild Fish Conservancy. “However, it’s critical to also acknowledge that for decades this fishery has harvested majority
non-Alaskan Chinook at unsustainable levels with cascading and coastwide consequences for fishing communities throughout British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. In addition to the
unparalleled benefits to killer whale and Chinook recovery, the Court’s decision will restore more control to communities over the recovery of their local Chinook salmon populations,
particularly tribal people and First Nations.”
“Despite the clear evidence, for too long government agencies, certifiers, and the media have been unwilling to acknowledge and address the unsustainable salmon harvest in this fishery
and others that is harming the recovery of the Southern Resident killer whales and the wild Chinook they depend on,” says Helverson. “The Court’s finding is playing an important role
in bringing science and policy closer together for the benefit of wild salmon, killer whales, and coastal communities.”
In the coming months, the Magistrate Judge’s report and recommendation and any objections from the defendants will be considered by the District Judge presiding over the case for a final
ruling. Thank you to all our members, supporters, attorneys, staff, and colleagues who have helped to make this incredible decision possible.
For a deeper dive into this case and the implications for wild Chinook and Southern Resident killer whale recovery, be sure to read our news post, Celebrating a Landmark Legal Victory
for Southern Resident Killer Whales and Wild Chinook Recovery <https://default.salsalabs.org/T302295c1-de48-40e3-9826-bf86769d7988/e1f9ba72-dc83-4f20-90cd-07d9d1ee41b3> .
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A Female Southern Resident Killer Whale from L-pod leaping in Puget Sound with a Chinook salmon in her mouth, August 2016. Photo: Jeff Friedman
We want to thank you and our entire community of members and supporters!
This landmark accomplishment is just one example of what your support makes possible. We hope you'll consider making a donation today to support our continued work protecting and restoring
the Northwest's ecosystems and the diverse species that depend on them.
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