NARN Recognition of the Inherent Rights of
Southern Resident Orcas
NARN and Legal Rights for the Salish Sea (LRSS) began their partnership in 2023. LRSS was founded in 2016 by friends in the community interested in the rights of Nature movement, but the Salish Sea has always been the Leader of LRSS. We take direction from her and all her inhabitants, paying particular attention to the wisdom of the Southern Resident Orcas and other Cetaceans that reside within the Salish Sea.
You’ll find additional information about our work on our Facebook page.
Since December of 2022, we’ve made progress educating our communities about recognizing the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas through proclamations.
In addition to receiving proclamations from cities/counties, The Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Lower Snake River Dam Committee of the Broads Regional Advocacy Committee, have proclaimed their recognition of the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas.
The map below illustrates the cities and counties where decision makers have signed proclamations recognizing the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas.
For Orca Action Month, LRSS and NARN proposed a resolution recognizing the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas to the Environment and Climate Caucus (ECC) of the Washington State Democrats that was adopted on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. On August 15th, 2024, our resolution establishing rights of the Snake River was adopted by the ECC.
Our ultimate goal is a statewide bill being introduced into legislation in 2025 (and PASSING) recognizing the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas.
The proclamations, and recent resolutions, will help towards that effort.
Please support our efforts by signing and sharing our petition calling for State recognition of the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas.
If you’re interested in learning about our proclamations, and how to ask for one in your community, please contact us.
Thank you for your support!
Rights For Southern Resident Orcas
Call To Action
Call for State Recognition of the Inherent Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas
NARN and Legal Rights for the Salish Sea are calling for state and local recognition of Southern Resident Orcas’ inherent rights, including the right to autonomy, free and safe passage, and an adequate food supply. So far, over 5,000 people and organizations have declared a recognition of the rights of the SROs, including via a petition that you can also sign! See more here!
Who Are The Southern Residents?
SROs are found off Washington State and British Columbia in the Salish Sea and on the Oregon and Northern California coasts. They are the smallest of the four resident communities within the Northeastern portion of the North America Pacific Ocean. Three pods make up the Southern Residents, J, K, and L pods.
Threats to their existence include pollution, boat traffic, and most importantly, lack of Chinook salmon.
They are critically endangered with fewer than 75 individuals remaining.
