The San Juan County Council joined a growing number of cities and counties throughout the Puget Sound region to acknowledge the inherent rights of Southern Resident Killer Whales that frequent the waters surrounding this county.

During a regular meeting of the Council on Feb. 7 council members read aloud a proclamation acknowledging the cultural, spiritual, and economic importance of the SRKW to the people of San Juan County, the Salish Sea, the State of Washington, and the world.

The proclamation recognizes “the survival of SRKW is dependent upon healthy and functioning ecosystems,” and values the ability of the SRKW “to have the right to life, culture, free and safe passage, adequate food supply and freedom from conditions causing physical, emotional, or mental harm.”

The Council proclaimed that on Feb. 7 the County “urges the State and Federal governments to deepen their commitment to restoring the bounty of the Salish Sea, and gratefully supports actions taken by State, Federal and Tribal governments that secure and effectuate the rights of the Southern Resident Killer Whales and of the ecosystems upon which they depend.”

Prior to making the proclamation council members were provided with a presentation by the County’s Marine Project Manager Dr. Frances Robertson discussing the work the County has been undertaking to conserve and recover the Southern Resident Orca in San Juan County.

“This proclamation… is an important reminder of the collective work that we have done, and been a part of, and the work that lies ahead for all,” said Robertson. “The County, in partnership with the Marine Resources Committee, has a really long history of supporting Southern Resident orca recovery and conservation efforts.”

The proclamation in full reads:

“WHEREAS, the Southern Resident Killer Whales are culturally, spiritually, and economically important to the people of San Juan County, the Salish Sea, the State of Washington and the world; and

WHEREAS, the survival of the Southern Resident Killer Whales is dependent on healthy and functioning ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, we value the ability of the Southern Resident Killer Whales to have the right to life, culture, free and safe passage, adequate food supply, and freedom from conditions causing physical, emotional, or mental harm, including a habitat degraded by noise, pollution, and contamination;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that we, the San Juan County Council do hereby proclaim on this 7th day of February 2023: San Juan County urges our State and Federal governments to deepen their commitment to restoring the bounty of the Salish Sea and gratefully supports actions taken by State, Federal and Tribal governments that secure and effectuate the rights of the Southern Resident Killer Whales and of the ecosystems upon which they depend.”