NORTHWEST TOURS TO WATCH WHALES MAY BE SUSPENDED

A Washington state task force on critically endangered Northwest orcas wants to temporarily suspend whale-watching boat tours focused on those killer whales.

The group advising the governor voted Tuesday to recommend a three- to five-year moratorium on viewing southern resident killer whales by all boats in Puget Sound.

Disturbances from boats can interfere with the killer whales’ ability to find food or communicate. The whales also suffer from lack of salmon and contaminations. There are just 74 animals.

The proposed moratorium would not apply to boats viewing other whales in the region, including gray or transient whales.

Critics say the move doesn’t address their dwindling food supply, and that barge and commercial fishing boats are far louder.

The recommendation is one of many that will go before Gov. Jay Inslee and the Legislature.