Forum: What good are orca whales? They’re a key part of ecosystem.

Published 1:30 am Saturday, March 14, 2026

By Don J. Miller / Herald Forum

In a recent letter to the editor, headlined “Save the salmon, but for our plates, not to feed killer whales,” it asks “will someone please reply and tell me what good are killer whales to most of us?” I believe discussion of that question requires taking a long-term view of orca (killer whales), salmon and humans.

Orca adapted to eating chinook salmon and diverged as a distinct population in this region more that 300,000 years ago. Salmon-eating Tribal communities date back 16,000 years in the Northwest. As European immigrants arrived, disease had a devastating effect on Tribal communities, but their oral histories tell us that they, salmon and orca were all plentiful.

Biologists speak of ecosystems and keystone species. An ecosystem is the landscape in action with all it inter-related cycles. A keystone species is a plant or animal that reflects the health of the ecosystem. When keystone species struggle to survive so do other species and the ecosystem loses vitality, it becomes simpler and less abundant. Indigenous cultures knew this before biologists and it is represented in their feelings and advocacy for land, water and life they often refer to as relatives.

Orca whales and salmon are keystone species to the Northwest. When there aren’t enough salmon, orca mothers must use their fat stores in making milk for their young. The young now are dying soon after birth due to the toxins released into their milk as the fat is used.

Salmon and orca provide an important message to attuned human eyes and ears. Our Northwest ecosystem, our lands and waters, are losing vitality. Humans may be able to Amazon in some of the lost vitality, but I venture that is an illusory solution. And, I have no faith we can Amazon out the toxins. Our lives rely upon a healthy landscape reflected by enough salmon for all.

Don J. Miller lives in Arlington.