Orca Network

The Orca Network based in Greenbank, Washington is dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. The organization started small when Susan Berta, current Volunteer/Event Coordinator and VP/treasurer of the Board of Orcas Network, would email friends when she saw whales outside her window. Today, that network has grown to thousands of people from British Columbia to California who email Berta and her husband, Howard Garrett, Director and President of the Board, when they see whales. Orca whales travel in family groups called "pods". The pods travel together and are comprised of multiple mothers and offspring from as many as four to five generations. Male and female offspring often remain with their mothers for life. The pods are lead by older mothers and the bond between the individuals is very strong. There are two groups of resident Orcas in the Pacific Northwest; the northern and southern residents. The southern resident Orcas are comprised of three pods: J, K and L pods. The J pod is the one most associated with Puget Sound and is often sighted near the San Juan Islands, in lower Puget Sound and north in the Georgia Strait. The southern resident Orcas are in jeopardy due to pollution, shortage of prey (specifically Chinook salmon) and disturbance from vehicle traffic in the Sound. There is hope for the Orcas; Governor Chris Gregoire has made restoring the health of Puget Sound a top priority with the launching of the Puget Sound Initiative. Also, the pending removal of the two dams on the Elwha River should increase the presence of salmon in the Sound thereby increasing the food supply for the Orcas.