Save the Orcas

To:  The National Marine Fisheries Service

We, the undersigned, are concerned about the fast decline of the orca population living in the Pacific Northwest waters. We are people who deeply love orcas and want them protected by all means possible. We do not want them to disappear because of pollution of any kind. Polychlorinated Biphenyls, or PCBs, have been found in large amounts in the orcas’ bodies. Most likely it is PCBs that are killing these magnificent creatures. It affects their immune systems as well as their reproductive systems. We would like to see the orcas on the endangered species list so that they can receive the best protection possible. Canada has already declared orcas endangered, so why can’t the United States declare them endangered, too? The Southern resident orca population had declined 20% since 1996. Scientists have found that toxic pollution, habitat degradation and stresses from an increasing amount of vessel traffic are all implicated. If the Endangered Species Act is used, then the orcas might have a good chance at recovering. Nearly every species granted ESA protection has been saved from extinction. These animals are one of a kind. They are the top predators of the seas. When a species dies out, the whole chain in that ecosystem is broken. What would happen if the orcas die out in the Pacific Northwest? We, the undersigned, don’t want to find out.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Save the Orcas Petition to The National Marine Fisheries Service was created by and written by Amanda Pippin.  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no express or implied endorsement of this petition by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. The petition scripts are created by Mike Wheeler at Artifice, Inc.  For Technical Support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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