In September of 2019, a young and critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale went missing from her pod. For the next 3 weeks, an international team including NOAA Fisheries and Fisheries Canada attempted to aid the young whale, performing health assessments and even attempted administering medicine by feeding her Chinook salmon tailored with antibiotics. The story received widespread attention in major news media outlets in both Canada and the U.S.
I live streamed two public hearings with my communications team as we met with the public to discuss the #J50 emergency response. This was an opportunity for the public to provide comments and speak with NOAA administrators. Comments were also collected for analysis on our social media channels. Hosted by University of Washington.
#J50 Update 1 of 7 (9/3): We are disappointed to report that J50, the young female Southern Resident killer whale also known as Scarlet, did not return from open waters off the West Coast of Vancouver Island to the Salish Sea with J Pod over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/Cn2keMQHdZ
— NOAAFish_WCRO (@NOAAFish_WCRO) September 3, 2018
#J50 Update 2 of 7 (9/3) Biologists from Center for Whale Research, Vancouver Aquarium, Soundwatch, and the University of Washington spent much of the day Sunday (9/2) with other members of J Pod, including J16, her mother. J50 was not seen with them. pic.twitter.com/Trmj0aDass
— NOAAFish_WCRO (@NOAAFish_WCRO) September 3, 2018