Killer Whale Diet Composition

Led by Melissa McKinney, McGill University. Collaborators include NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

Southern resident killer whales heavily rely on salmon, primarily Chinook salmon in their diet. Genetic analysis has revealed that other types of salmon and fish can be a part of their diet, but we don’t really know how much, which species, and when do they vary their diet. 

Better understanding diet is an important component for conserving the endangered southern resident killer whale population. This project will use sophisticated tools to help us understand and characterize the amount of food, as well as the specific prey species, they consume. The information could also reveal any seasonal or temporal trends that might exist, and help management make informed decisions on how to ensure enough food are available for this keystone species.