It was with great sadness I learned today of the fourth death this year of a Southern Resident killer whale J32, Rhapsody, who was found dead yesterday near Courtney B.C. According to the Center for Whale research, “This loss bring the overall number of Southern Resident orcas below their number in 2005 when they were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.” This death is doubly sad as she was a breeding-aged female, who may have been pregnant at the time of death (or died by complications of pregnancy.)

Almost 10 years have passed since their listing as endangered, and what has been done to restore the salmon runs that are critical to these magnificent animals? Not nearly enough. We must double-down on storm water runoff control, habitat restoration, prevention of habitat destruction by building and development, and cutting fisheries even further (native and non-native). It is our duty, required by law. Morally, how can we stand by and let them die?

Dan Klimke

Everett