Canadian and US regulations are at odds in the Salish Sea, and whales are caught in the middle

Both countries need to create or adapt bilateral agencies or agreements, such as the Pacific Salmon Treaty, to build a cooperative framework for the entire Salish Sea basin and manage fisheries and habitat for endangered Chinook salmon, the primary food for southern resident killer whales, Robinson said. 

Ginny Broadhurst, Director of the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University, agreed — adding US Tribes and Canadian First Nations need to be involved in the creation and management of conservation initiatives. 

Vessel noise also poses an ongoing and rising concern for southern residents in particular, Broadhurst said.