Researchers say B.C.'s southern resident killer whales are not only threatened by the decline of the overall salmon population but also the reduction in high-quality fatty salmon.
A study led by University of British Columbia scientists concludes that not all salmon are equal when it comes to nourishing the rare whales, whose total population has dwindled to 73.
The study says that while there are several human-related suspects in the decline in whale numbers, such as water contaminants and noise pollution, much of the blame falls on the decline of the Fraser River Chinook salmon population. However, they realized that this isn’t true, since the fish have different levels of lipid content. Fat spring-run salmon tend to be more lipid-rich, attracting the killer whales that prey on them, while salmon that come later in the season have lower energy density.
To maintain the same energy level, the total population of southern residents would have to eat roughly 80,000 more low-lipid Chinook salmon every year, than if they were eating high-lipid fish, said Lerner, a doctoral student in pelagic ecosystems at UBC. Although the study mainly centres on killer whales and their favourite prey, Lerner said it also highlights how climate change has an effect on the entire food web.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ex-ISIS teen bride Shamima Begum loses appeal to regain U.K. citizenshipThe British government took away Shamima Begum\u0027s British citizenship on national security grounds in 2019.
Read more »
Ex-ISIS teen bride Shamima Begum loses appeal to regain U.K. citizenshipThe British government took away Shamima Begum\u0027s British citizenship on national security grounds in 2019.
Read more »
Ex-ISIS teen bride Shamima Begum loses appeal to regain U.K. citizenshipThe British government took away Shamima Begum\u0027s British citizenship on national security grounds in 2019.
Read more »
Ex-ISIS teen bride Shamima Begum loses appeal to regain U.K. citizenshipThe British government took away Shamima Begum\u0027s British citizenship on national security grounds in 2019.
Read more »
2,000-year-old stringed instrument discovered in Vietnam: researchersResearchers say they have uncovered a 2,000-year-old stringed musical instrument in southern Vietnam.
Read more »
B.C. Tseshaht First Nation to release school grave search info | Globalnews.caA British Columbia First Nation is releasing the results of a preliminary search for unmarked graves on the grounds of a former residential school.
Read more »