Washington group seeks pause on whale-watching

SEATTLE — A Washington state task force studying endangered orcas wants to temporarily suspend whale-watching boat tours focused on those whales, one of three dozen recommendations to save a population that is at its lowest in more than 30 years.

The group advising Washington Gov. Jay Inslee voted this week to recommend a three- to five-year moratorium on viewing southern resident killer whales by all boats in Puget Sound.

Disturbances and noise from boats can interfere with the whales’ ability to find food or communicate, and supporters said a suspension would protect the whales. Critics said it wouldn’t address the larger issue of dwindling food supply and would be devastating for the industry.

The proposed moratorium would not apply to boats viewing other whales in the region, including grey or transient whales. It would not apply to businesses on Vancouver Island.

The endangered orcas struggle from pollution, boat noise and lack of chinook salmon, which have been declining because of dams, habitat loss and overfishing.