Pod of Orcas – Details, episodes & analysis

Human feet have been washing up on beaches in the Pacific Northwest's Salish Sea since at least 2007. But why? Turns out there are scientific explanations for "why feet?" and "why here?"

The answer sheds light on why the ecosystem's name—The Salish Sea—is important, and why place names matter in general.

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GUESTS:

Erika Engelhaupt, author of Gory Details

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David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scientist at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

- https://davidtrimbach.com/current/

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In Ep. 6, we look at how human-made contaminants in the ocean are compromising killer whales and compounding the other problems they face. Fat soluble toxins move up the foot chain and accumulate in killer whales, who metabolize it in their blubber. Mothers also pass those contaminants down to their babies when nursing. Our guest is the excellent Peter Ross, who takes this complex subject and artfully breaks it down. Next week is the finale and it's a good one. See you then! 

Rate, review and share the podcast to spread the word. You can email me at justin@seadocsociety.org.

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• Whale sound: The Whale Museum

In Ep. 5, we look at a conservation success story that could help map out the future for Southern Resident Killer Whales. The similarities between mountain gorillas and Southern Residents are plenty: Both can be individually identified and monitored by researchers. Both are massive tourist attractions--which on one hand comes with threats, but also brings enthusiasm, support, and the potential for funding to ensure protection. Both also regularly cross the imaginary borders humans have drawn to carve up our countries, meaning international collaboration is crucial. Our guest is Dr. Kirsten Gilardi, Director of Gorilla Doctors and Executive Director of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. 

Rate, review and share the podcast to spread the word. You can email me at justin@seadocsociety.org.

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Thanks to our sponsors:

• Shearwater Kayak Tours
• Rainshadow Solar
• Two Beers Brewing Company
• Deer Harbor Charters and The Averna Family
• Betsy Wareham and West Sound Marina
• The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
• Apple State Vinegar
• Logo: FLOAT.org
• Music: Podington Bear
  

In Ep. 4, we enter the acoustic world of killer whales, and what that means for how they talk with their families, hunt for salmon, navigate the sounds of boats, and so much more. Our guest is Rob Williams, who is Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Oceans Initiative with Erin Asche. Acoustic communication is fundamental to the survival of killer whales and their uniqe culture, so don’t miss this one. Rate, review and share the podcast to spread the word. You can email our host at justin@seadocsociety.org. Support our work through GiveBIG this week! Get our free monthly newsletter at seadocsociety.org/newsletter Facebook: facebook.com/seadocsociety Instagram: instagram.com/seadocsociety Twitter: twitter.com/seadocsociety Thanks to our sponsors: Shearwater Kayak Tours Rainshadow Solar Two Beers Brewing Company Deer Harbor Charters and The Averna Family Betsy Wareham and West Sound Marina The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee Apple State Vinegar Logo: FLOAT.org Music: Podington Bear Whale sound: The Whale Museum

In Ep. 3, we look at how humans have viewed and treated killer whales throughout history, especially in the Salish Sea. It starts with slaughter by fishermen, followed by captivity for entertainment, all the way up to our present moment, in which wild Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered, but beloved. We look at portrayal in media (Free Willy, Blackfish and more) and get into how captivity shifted scientific study and shaped perception of orcas in ways that would ultimately lead to a ban on their capture in the Salish Sea. 

Our guest is Jason Colby, author of the book Orca: How We Came to Know and Love the Ocean’s Greatest Predator. This is a moving and at times sad conversation that explores hard truths. But it ultimately offers hope. Rate, review and share the podcast to help spread the word.

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• Shearwater Kayak Tours
• Rainshadow Solar
• Two Beers Brewing Company
• Deer Harbor Charters and The Averna Family
• Betsy Wareham and West Sound Marina
• The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
• Apple State Vinegar
• Logo: FLOAT.org
• Music: Podington Bear
  

In Ep. 2, we talk about salmon—the sole food source for Southern Resident Killer Whales. Our guest is Cecilia Gobin—a Tulalip tribal member who is on staff at the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. She's incredibly thoughtful and and exactly the kind of voice you want speaking on this topic. 

How did we create such a bleak situation for this amazing species of fish? Could we lose salmon in our lifetime? What happens if the status-quo continues? Listen to find out. Subscribe to follow along.

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Thanks to our sponsors:

• Shearwater Kayak Tours

• Rainshadow Solar

• Two Beers Brewing Company

• Deer Harbor Charters and The Averna Family

• Betsy Wareham and West Sound Marina

• The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee

• Apple State Vinegar

• Logo: FLOAT.org

• Music: Podington Bear

In Ep. 1, we bring you up to speed on the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and discuss orca culture with Dr. John Ford, who has studied the species since the 1970s, when killer whale research truly began.

How did things become so dire? What’s the difference between the three distinct ecotypes of killer whales? What are scientists and conservationists doing to solve the problem? Click listen and subscribe to find out. Rate, review and share the podcast to help spread the word.

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Thanks to our sponsors:

• Shearwater Kayak Tours
• Rainshadow Solar
• Two Beers Brewing Company
• Deer Harbor Charters and The Averna Family
• Betsy Wareham and West Sound Marina
• The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee
• Apple State Vinegar
• Logo: FLOAT.org
• Music: Podington Bear
• Whale sound: The Whale Museum

There are only about 70 Southern Resident Killer Whales remaining in the wild and they’re looking directly at extinction if things don’t change. Southern Resident Orcas are emotionally intelligent animals with complex family dynamics. They also have a deep spiritual connection to the tribes and first nations who’ve been in the Salish Sea since time immemorial.

Over the next six weeks, we’ll dive into those issues and more, with some brilliant guests joining us along the way. Subscribe to the podcast and spread the word!

This is the story of a mysterious fish that washed up on Orcas Island on July 11, 2023. That fish was a six-foot long Pacific bluefin tuna—a species that had never in history been documented in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. Bluefin are a delicacy that can sell for millions of dollars. Why was it here?

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