Once widely feared, killer whales are now far better understood than they were only three decades ago.  But today there is growing concern for their future.  Pollution, overfishing, boat traffic and other human activities all pose a threat to the whales and their fragile marine environment.
 

What can you do?

Become an adopter in the Wild Killer Whale Adoption Program and help support important research on wild killer whales and their conservation!  Adopt here.

 

What else can you do to help?  Everyday actions can also have a profound impact on the conservation of wild killer whales!  Here are some suggestions: 

 

  • Protect wild salmon!  Salmon are essential for resident killer whales.  Help protect and enhance salmon habitat by becoming a member of a local Streamkeepers organization.

  • Be Whale Wise!  Follow the Be Whale Wise guidelines while watching whales on the water to reduce disturbance on these animals.   All boats, both commercial and recreational, should adhere to the whale watching guidelines.

  • Report your whale, dolphin and porpoises sightings to the BC Cetacean Sightings Network.  Help researchers learn more about the distribution and habitat use of these animals in BC waters.

  • Choose sustainable seafood to ensure healthy ocean ecosystems!  Learn more about sustainable seafood through the Ocean Wise program at the Vancouver Aquarium.

  • Clean up our shorelines!  Garbage in the ocean is bad news for all marine life, including killer whales and their prey.  Help reduce marine debris by participating in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup each September.

  • Make your home and garden whale-friendly!  It's not just factories and manufacturers that dispose of harmful chemicals in the ocean. Every time you dump toxic household cleaning products down your sink, use pesticides in your garden, or improperly dispose of toxic materials, you too are contributing to the pollution that is appearing in our oceans and eventually in the whales. Choose to garden organically, buy biodegradable and green cleaning products and learn more about properly disposing of any toxic materials through your municipality’s waste disposal program.  You can help to make others aware by joining the Yellow Fish Road Storm Drain Marking Program which reminds people that everything they put in their sinks, bathtubs, toilets, etc. ends up in the storm drains and eventually our streams, lakes and oceans.

     

  • Reduce persistent organic pollutants by using your consumer dollars carefully.   PBDEs found in electronics and furniture are a big problem for top predators like killer whales.  Many companies however are choosing not to use them in their products.  When purchasing new electronics and furniture ask if they are PBDE-free!

     

  • Be a green boater!  Boats can be a major source of marine pollutants.  Reduce your vessels' impact on the marine environment through the Georgia Strait Alliance’s Green Boater program.  

     

  • Spread the message.  Volunteer with a local marine conservation organization (like the Vancouver Aquarium) to teach others about protecting the oceans and the whales!