Puget Sound, a significant marine estuary in the Pacific Northwest, connects to the Pacific Ocean through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Strait of Georgia. Its unique geography, featuring deep, glacier-carved basins and a complex shoreline, supports a wide array of marine life. Over 14 marine mammal species, including various whales, rely on the Puget Sound ecosystem for sustenance and shelter.
Orcas of Puget Sound
Puget Sound is home to two distinct ecotypes of orcas: the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) and the Transient, or Bigg’s, Killer Whales. These populations differ significantly in their diet and social behaviors. SRKWs feed primarily on fish, mainly Chinook salmon year-round, supplemented by other salmon species seasonally. They live in large, sociable groups composed of closely related individuals, known as matrilines, and frequently vocalize underwater as they hunt their fish prey. Historically, SRKWs were more common in the Sound during summer months, but their presence has increased in fall and winter, possibly following chum salmon runs.
Transient Killer Whales, whose population has been increasing, are apex predators that exclusively consume marine mammals. Their diet includes seals, sea lions, porpoises, and even other whales. These orcas travel in smaller, stealthier groups, typically consisting of two to six individuals, reflecting their hunting strategy for intelligent prey. Unlike their fish-eating counterparts, Bigg’s orcas hunt silently, rarely breaching or splashing to avoid detection by their prey. They range along the western coast of North America and are increasingly observed in the Salish Sea throughout the year.
Other Whales in the Sound
Beyond orcas, Puget Sound hosts other whale species. Gray whales are regular visitors, recognized by their mottled bodies, bumpy backs, and a distinctive heart-shaped spout when they exhale. These medium-sized whales are bottom feeders, sifting through sediment to consume benthic crustaceans like ghost shrimp. A specific group, known as the “Sounders,” comprising about a dozen individuals, seasonally feeds in northern Puget Sound waters, particularly around Whidbey and Camano Islands, Saratoga Passage, and Port Susan, from March to May. Some individuals now stay longer than their traditional spring feeding period.
Humpback whales, baleen whales reaching up to 50 feet and weighing around 40 tons, are making a comeback in the Salish Sea after local extirpation from commercial whaling. These whales are identifiable by their long pectoral fins and knobbly heads, and they often engage in distinctive surface behaviors, including frequent breaching. They migrate to the Pacific Northwest from Hawaiian breeding grounds, foraging on krill and small fish. Humpbacks are most commonly sighted in Puget Sound between April and October.
Minke whales, the smallest rorqual (baleen) whales, measure between 23 and 33 feet and weigh up to 10 tons. They have dark-gray backs, white undersides, and a distinctive white patch on their pectoral fins. Minke whales are lunge feeders, consuming small schooling fish, crustaceans, and plankton. They are present year-round, with more frequent sightings during summer months; some individuals are considered resident. These whales are often elusive and not very surface active, making them harder to spot.
Responsible Viewing and Conservation
Responsible viewing practices are important for protecting whales in Puget Sound. The “Be Whale Wise” guidelines recommend maintaining specific distances from marine mammals, with regulations varying by species. Boaters must stay at least 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident Killer Whales in Washington waters and 200 yards from Transient Killer Whales. For most other whales, a distance of 100 yards is recommended.
Additionally, vessels should reduce speed to less than 7 knots when within half a nautical mile of Southern Resident Killer Whales and avoid positioning themselves directly in the whales’ path. If whales unexpectedly surface within 400 yards, boaters should disengage their engines and allow the animals to pass. Choosing licensed tour operators who adhere to these guidelines helps ensure safe and respectful wildlife viewing.
Puget Sound whales face multiple challenges, including a lack of their primary prey, such as Chinook salmon for SRKWs. Noise pollution from vessel traffic interferes with their ability to echolocate, hunt, and communicate. Contaminants accumulating in the food web also pose a threat, particularly to top predators like orcas.
Conservation efforts are underway, including voluntary vessel slowdowns by large commercial ships through initiatives like Quiet Sound, which aim to reduce underwater noise. Efforts also focus on habitat restoration, reducing pollution through proper waste disposal, and supporting organizations dedicated to marine mammal and salmon recovery. Thermal imaging cameras and hydrophones further aid in whale detection and conservation.