The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list Southern Resident Killer Whale under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) is a distinct population segment of killer whale found along the Pacific Coast between Southeast Alaska and Point Sur, California. Southern Resident Killer Whales primarily eat fish - mostly Chinook salmon - unlike their more common mammal-eating cousins the Transient (also called Biggs) Killer Whale. There are three pods, or social groups, of Southern Resident Killer Whale – the J, K, and L pods. While all three pods spend most of their time in the Salish Sea of northern Washington and southern British Columbia, the K and L pods have also been documented within California waters, primarily during winter months. Key threats to Southern Resident Killer Whales include malnutrition due to reduced prey abundance, vessel noise and disturbance, exposure to chemical contaminants, and the combined effects of these stressors.
On November 25th, 2025, the Orca Conservancy submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) to list Southern Resident Killer Whale as an endangered species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing as an endangered species on July 10th, 2026, and as such, Southern Resident Killer Whale now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).
As of July 10th, 2026, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list Southern Resident Killer Whale as threatened or endangered under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, the adequacy of existing management, and recommendations for management of the species.
CDFW respectfully requests that data and comments be submitted before September 10th, 2026, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Submit comments and general information on the petitioned action to CDFW’s Marine Region by email at MarineCESA@wildlife.ca.gov and include “Southern Resident Killer Whale” in the subject line. Comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Region, Attn: Dylan Stompe, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090. Please note that any information you submit (including your contact information) will become part of the public record and may be disclosed in response to a Public Records Act request.
CDFW will produce a peer-reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list Southern Resident Killer Whale as endangered under CESA is warranted (Fish and Game Code section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website for at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. Please note, the Commission—which is a legally separate entity from CDFW—is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.
The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report, and updates on the listing process are available on the Commission’s website.
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Media Contacts:
Dylan Stompe, CDFW Marine Region, (209) 639-2938
Alicia de la Garza, CDFW Communications, (916) 754-7237