OLYMPIA – With Memorial Day around the corner and the World Cup arriving in Seattle in June, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds boaters to follow the law and protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) by staying 1,000 yards away.
Summer is the busiest time of year for boating in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea, and a busy time for SRKW following their preferred prey of salmon returning to rivers throughout the region. Orcas rely on echolocation to hunt, and vessel noise interferes with their ability to catch enough prey to survive.
"Boaters in Washington play a key role in saving our endangered orcas," said Julie Watson, killer whale policy lead with WDFW. "Staying 1,000 yards away quiets the waters so orcas get enough to eat, which can mean life or death for pregnant mothers and baby orcas."
Locals likely know about the law that went into effect in 2025 requiring all boaters — whether motoring, sailing, or paddling — to stay 1,000 yards from SRKW, but with both Seattle and Vancouver hosting World Cup matches this June and July, some visiting the region for the first time may be unfamiliar with these regulations.
"Boaters who are already doing their part by staying 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident orcas can help set an example for new or visiting boaters," said Watson. "As we welcome the World Cup to the region this summer, help us keep orcas in the game by giving them space."
If someone boating, sailing, or paddling finds they are within 1,000 yards of SRKW, they can slowly move away at a speed of 7 knots or less. If SRKW appear within 400 yards of a vessel, boaters are required to get out of the path of the whales and, as long as it is safe to do so, disengage the vessel's transmission. Once the whales are 400 yards away, boaters should proceed to move away.
Additional resources, answers to frequently asked questions, and more information about SRKW and Washington's boating regulations can be found at WDFW's website.
Be Whale Wise on both sides of the U.S-Canada border
In April, the Canadian government announced new vessel management measures requiring boaters to stay 1,000 meters from SRKW, aligning the distance across the international border and making it easier for boaters to remember. The new Canadian measures go into effect June 1, 2026.
On both sides of the border, boaters will also need to stay 200 yards/meters from transient, or Bigg's, killer whales that are frequently seen in the Salish Sea and outer coast.
However, because of the difficulty identifying the differences between SRKW and Bigg's killer whales, WDFW encourages boaters to be better safe than sorry by treating all unidentified killer whales as though they are SRKW and staying 1,000 yards away.
Boaters are encouraged to watch for the Whale Warning Flag, an optional tool from the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, that lets others know that there might be whales nearby. If boaters see the flag, they should slow down and continue to follow Be Whale Wise guidelines and local regulations. Boaters can also plan their routes to avoid Southern Residents by checking the Whale Alert app.
Seeing whales can be a great way to connect with nature and learn about Washington's marine ecosystem. For more information about regulations in other waters and viewing rules for other whales and marine mammals, as well as steps recreational boaters can take to keep the whales — and themselves — safe, visit BeWhaleWise.org.
The public can also view killer whales at shore-based sites along the Whale Trail. More information, including optimal viewing locations along Puget Sound and the Washington coast, is available on The Whale Trail's website.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.