BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is calling on boaters to be extra conscious of whales this summer.

They issued an emergency order Thursday, June 29th, requiring whale-watching boats to stay at least one-half nautical mile, or about 1,000 yards, away from 11 vulnerable whales.

The order comes as ten Southern Resident orcas have been observed to be in poor body condition and one they say is likely to be in the late stages of pregnancy.

New legislation that passed this spring will create a mandatory 1,000 yard vessell buffer around Southern Residents starting in January 2025.

The mandates look to improve the Southern Resident population’s ability to successfully forage and recover for health.