Southern Resident Orcas

The Rights and Voice of Southern Resident Orcas

We are calling for the recognition of the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas and the ecosystems upon which they depend, and to take immediate actions to protect and restore the Orcas’ rights by addressing their main threats to survival. This effort builds from a global movement to recognize Nature and all its species as rights holders, with intrinsic value.

Guardianship of Southern Resident Orcas and Other Living Entities

We support creating a legal guardianship body for Southern Resident Orcas and other natural entities in the Pacific Northwest–even for the Salish Sea itself. You can find legal templates for legal guardianship bodies here, on the Earth Law Portal.

As applied to Orcas, legal guardians would be required to represent the Orcas’ best interests and would serve as the human face and voice of Orcas in a wide variety of legal contexts, allowing them to be represented in decision-making that affects their health. Similar models could be created for other species and ecosystems. Legal guardianship bodies for Nature exist in New Zealand (Aotearoa), Colombia, Spain, and even the United States (Nederland, CO).

Lack of Prey is the Number One Threat To Survival

Lack of prey is the number one threat to the survival of the Southern Resident Orcas. For this reason our orca rights campaign is tied to our advocacy to breach the lower Snake River Dams. ELC team member Elizabeth Dunne, helped draft People’s Recommendation 74, a recommendation presented by the people directly to Governor Inslee at a rally on November 16, 2018, at the capitol with over 200 people. Recommendation 74 recognizes the Southern Residents’ right to life, including to their naturally occurring food source of Chinook salmon from the lower Snake River. You can also read our partner, Howard Garrett’s comment letter (Orca Network) on the need to breach the dams here.

Recent Wins

We are gaining momentum! With guidance from Legal Rights for the Salish Sea and others, since 2022, Washington, Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, Langley, Bainbridge Island, and Des Moines, along with Pierce, Jefferson, and San Juan Counties, have now passed proclamations supporting the recognition of the rights of the Orcas! Outside of Washington, Depoe Bay, OR, and Arcata, CA, have passed proclamations, too. You can see all the proclamations here.