B.11 Orcas, Salmon and Tradition
Field research of over 35 years has described the endangered Southern Resident orcas as a distinct cultural community. Recent studies revealed that these big delphinids depend almost entirely on Chinook salmon, also endangered. Chinook restoration is the key to orca survival. Susan Berta, Howard Garrett [related article]
 Susan Berta
Susan co-founded the Orca Network with Howard Garrett in November 2001, and serves as Program director and Whale Sighting Network coordinator. She directs the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Susan was the Program Coordinator for Beach Watchers from its inception in 1989 until 2000. She created Sound Waters and Wonders of Whidbey, "Wonders of Whidbey" was a field-trip version of Sound Waters, held during the summer, where different choices of guided field trips at various places on the island were offered. Susan graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1982.
 Howard Garrett
Howard began working with the Center for Whale Research in 1980. In 1996 Garrett wrote Orcas In Our Midst, a booklet depicting the orcas' dependence on salmon. Volume 2 of Orcas In Our Midst was published in 2005. A frequent speaker and writer about orcas, he co-founded Orca Network in November 2001.