New Guidelines for Boats in the Salish Sea

Below is NOAA Fisheries’ Facebook Post on January 1st:

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1016849160488409&id=100064900023662&_rdr

“Starting today, Jan. 1, 2025, boaters in Washington waters must stay 1,000 yards away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) at all times.

The busy waters of Puget Sound make it hard for SRKW to use echolocation to hunt and communicate. These new rules, passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2023, aim reduce vessel impacts, giving the whales a better chance to forage, rest, and survive.  

Key takeaways:

 Stay 1,000 yards (half a nautical mile) from SRKW in all directions.

 If SRKW comes within 400 yards, stop your motor, luff sails, or stop paddling until they move away.

 For boats within 1,000 yards but not 400 yards, navigate out of the area slowly (7 knots or less).

Pro Tip: Can’t tell if it’s an SRKW or another killer whale? Treat all unidentified orcas as SRKW and give them space!”