Scientists listening for killer whales’ return

and fall to hunt for salmon. A marked reduction in marine traffic due to the pandemic has created a quieter environment, and if they can document a positive change for the endangered orca, it could help regulators on both sides of the border to enforce noise-reduction measures even after marine vessel traffic rebounds.

The pandemic has led to a slowdown in global economic activity, including a decrease of as much as 30 per cent in the number of container ships going from China to the Port of Vancouver during the first four months of the year. That means the orca may not need to shout to each other to communicate, and while chinook stocks from the Fraser and Skagit rivers have been inexorably declining, it might be easier for the pods to find their key source of food this year.

Richard Dewey, the Ocean Networks associate director of science, says tracking is continuing, and the data from May show a continued, substantial reduction in noise, particularly in the Strait of Georgia. It’s not just container ship traffic that has declined due to COVID; the number of ferry sailings is also down, while whale-watching boats and cruise ships have been idled.

Marine wildlife veterinarian Joe Gaydos says researchers have found that over the years, the increasing level of underwater noise from vessel traffic has forced the orca to change their communications. He is hopeful the quieter seas will help the orca, even when chinook are in short supply. “If they’re able to find more of those salmon, they’re going to put on more weight,” he says. “They’re going to have better reproductive success. They’re going to have better ability to fight off disease.” And if this summer turns out to be a better year for the southern residents, there’s a chance policymakers in the U.S.

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