species protection

Did you know that we use over 500 million plastic straws in the United States every day? And that by the year 2050 there will be more plastic trash in the ocean than fish? Friends of the San Juans, San Juan County Solid Waste and Marine Resources Committee, Orcas Recycling Services, and Lopez Solid Waste ... read more

With only 74 left, scientists fear that the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population is reaching a tipping point towards extinction. The Governor’s SRKW Recovery Task Force and working groups for vessel noise, pollution, and food have made their recommendations. Now they want to hear from you by October 7. Click here to read the draft report.  ... read more

It’s impossible to imagine the San Juan Islands without the amazing Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). But that reality could be just years away if we don’t act swiftly – they’re among the most endangered animals on the planet. A lack of Chinook salmon is pushing the SRKWs towards extinction. So is pollution and underwater ... read more

Help recover Southern Resident Killer Whales by Protecting San Juan County Shorelines on Friday, September 21st on Lopez.  Protecting San Juan County’s marine shorelines is among the most important actions we can take to support the recovery of Chinook salmon and Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW). Join us on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. ... read more

The news of J35’s deceased calf has hit us all hard. She carried her deceased daughter for 17 days and hundreds of miles – it was truly heartbreaking to see this mother orca mourning the death of her newborn calf. It is also a stark reminder of the trouble the Southern Resident Killer Whales are in.It ... read more

Friends has joined with the Wild Fish Conservancy to bring you a public discussion about Atlantic salmon net pens and PRV (Piscine Reovirus) in Puget Sound. Details: ATLANTIC SALMON NET PENS and their residual implications for Chinook Salmon and Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery Wednesday, August 8, 7:00 pm, The Commons at Friday Harbor Laboratories on San Juan ... read more

Gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m. This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will perform. Washington State Parks and Orca Awareness Month ... read more

All of us at Friends of the San Juans are very appreciative of our members and partners as we reflect on 2017 – thank you for being part of our community who cares deeply for orca, salmon, clean water free of Atlantic salmon netpens and oilspill free oceans. We wanted to give you an update ... read more

You may already have heard that up to 305,000 Atlantic salmon escaped into the Salish Sea last week when a Cooke Aquaculture fish farm near Cypress Island broke apart. We’re writing to let you know what you can do to prevent this sort of thing in the future and avoid the spread of diseases and ... read more

The USCG has received 70 comments on their anchorages rulemaking so far. Thank you to everyone who has made a comment! If you haven’t please do so ASAP and help us get to 100 comments before 8:59 p.m. tonight (8/9/2017)! The San Juan County Council just sent in a comment letter! Click here to read it.  ... read more