Success in WA and BC - what’s next for the Pledge?
In 2023, the Washington State Legislature passed a law requiring all boaters to stay 1,000 yards away from southern resident orcas. The milestone legislation was based on studies showing the impacts of noise on foraging, and the continuing need to protect the population. The law took effect in January 2025.
Our Give them Space coalition played a key role in generating support for the bill among NGOs, agencies, and the public.
In 2026, British Columbia implemented a management measure with the same distance requirement.
When the southern residents return to the Salish Sea, a buffer of acoustic space goes with them,, on both sides of the border. A sea change is underway, against great odds.
And best of all, the whales show signs of responding.
There are now 13 calves under 10 years old, and at least 9 of those are female.
Those calves represent the future of the population, and our best hope for their recovery.
Our shared goal is to create the conditions they need to survive and thrive into adulthood.
What’s Next?
While the pledge is no longer necessary in Washington State and Canada, our work is not done yet. These vulnerable pods need protection throughout their range, which extends along the Pacific Coast as far south as Monterey Bay.
When J, K and L leave Washington waters, they receive no special protection from vessel noise and disturbance.
Under US Federal law, boaters can approach them as close as 100 yards—the same as any other whale.
There is no limit to the number of boats that can be with whales, the time that boaters can stay with the whales, or the areas they are allowed to be.
Knowing the harmful impacts of vessel noise on foraging, we believe that the 1,000 yard distance should be implemented throughout the orcas’ range, especially in the crowded waters of Monterey Bay. A buffer of acoustic space should follow J, K and L pods wherever they go.
We encourage and support efforts to expand the distance requirement through state and/or federal laws.
Until then, we encourage boaters Oregon and California to take this voluntary pledge.
We’ll keep this program going until the orcas get the space they need throughout their range.
Photo of J40, J45 and new calf J63 in Puget Sound, December 2025, by Maya Sears, NOAA Permit No. 27052
