The future of Orca survey is of exceptional importance because the Greater
Puget Sound is being increasingly utilized and exploited by a growing human
population. One of the problems now facing this region is its decreasing
salmon runs. Presently, one half of the natural salmon runs of the Greater
Puget Sound are threatened with depletion or extinction. This is the main
prey species of the resident killer whales.
Alternative prey species such as bottom fish, are often heavily contaminated
with toxic substances. How does the top predator in this ecosystem respond
to these problems? Monitoring the status and population dynamics of these
top predators is the most effective and realistic way of determining whether
these environmental problems are adversely affecting the ecosystem. If these
problems are causing havoc with the killer whales, then humans are next
in line.
|