Puget Sound’s orcas given relief from shipping noise
The Southern Resident killer whales in Puget Sound are being helped by a plan to reduce shipping noise. A program called Quiet Sound encourages large vessels to slow down in certain areas, which lowers noise levels. During trials, over 70% of ships reduced their speed, decreasing underwater noise by almost half. This is important because orcas rely on sound to communicate and hunt. The next slowdown will continue to support the whales as they return for salmon soon.
