The health of the matriarch orca known as J17, which is part of the southern resident killer whale population, is said to be improving, according to the Centre for Whale Research. One of the biggest threats to the survival of the southern resident killer whales is the dwindling supply of their primary food source — chinook salmon. "She was telling us, come and help me," said Raynell Morris with the Lummi Nation, who was aboard the research vessel. 'Tipping point'Morris wants NOAA to circumvent its regulatory process to work with Lummi Nation, and permit its people to feed the killer whales. Elders and leaders with the Lummi nation hold a ceremony, praying for the protection of the Salish Sea and a revival of salmon stocks.

Source: CBC News April 13, 2019 16:00 UTC