The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff are recommending that the Fish and Wildlife Commission list Southern Resident orcas as endangered under Oregon’s Endangered Species Act

Eugene, OR – According to the state officials, the Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide whether to list them during their meeting Feb. 16 in Hillsboro at Hidden Creek Community Center, 5100 NE Hidden Creek Drive.

The Commission first accepted a petition to consider listing them in April 2023.  

Before making their recommendation to list Southern Resident orcas, ODFW’s staff conducted a Biological Assessment that summarized information on their natural history, population status and trends, factors affecting their survival, and management actions being taken to recover the population.  

Southern Resident orcas are listed as Endangered under existing federal law. Their reproductive potential is in danger of failure due to small population size, inbreeding, and other reproductive issues.

The key factors contributing to these problems include decreased quantity and quality of prey, sound and vessel disturbance, and exposure to high levels of contaminants.