During Oregon's Whale Watch Week, a pod of orcas, identified as the L pod, was spotted off the coast of Depoe Bay early Monday morning. Marine biologist Carrie Newell noted the pod's behavior reminded her of salmon chasing, suggesting they were actively hunting. The Oregon Coast Killer Whale Monitoring Program confirmed the sighting, identifying the group as the L4 matrilineal group, a family within the L pod.
The L pod, a critically endangered southern resident group, typically inhabits the Salish Sea from late spring to fall, then migrates along the coast from Alaska to California. The pod's presence off the Oregon Coast, heading south, is likely due to a search for food. Newell explained that these whales have excellent memories of past food sources and travel to those areas when resources are scarce. With low salmon numbers around the San Juan Islands, the L pod may be heading to the Klamath River, where salmon returns are increasing following the removal of four dams.