09.04.03

Cantwell Secures $1.5 Million for Orca Recovery Research

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today announced $1.5 million in research funding to study the decline in the Puget Sound Southern Resident orca population and to support ongoing recovery efforts.

"I remain extremely concerned about the fact that our orca population has declined twenty percent over the last few years," Cantwell said. "These research funds will help us understand the challenges facing their recovery."

Cantwell added, "It would be unforgivable to stand on the sidelines while our orca population dies out. These funds will help us take action in saving these majestic Northwest icons."

These funds will support ongoing research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and build upon $750,000 Senator Cantwell secured in fiscal year 2003 to begin this initiative. The research will determine factors that may be causing the population's decline, define goals for population recovery, identify specific measures to help restore the population, and estimate the associated time and cost.

The urgency of Senator Cantwell's request became increasingly evident following NOAA's May 29, 2003 listing of the Southern Resident orca population as officially "depleted" under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.