Trans Mountain approval a death sentence for Southern Resident killer whales: biologist

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Environmentalists say the Trans Mountain pipeline approval is a death sentence for killer whales.

Marine biologists say the anticipated 700 per cent increase in tanker trips is a violation of the Species At Risk Act.

The Raincoast Conservation Foundation says Southern Resident killer whales and Fraser River salmon are the most at risk

And biologist Misty MacDuffee says the potential of a catastrophic accident isn’t the only problem.

“They don’t need an oil spill. It’s just the increased level of traffic. Say whales are in the presence of vessels 85 per cent of the time right now, [jumping] to vessels being around whales almost 100 per cent of the time,” says MacDuffee.

She adds the increased traffic will disrupt whales’ food supply.

“The basis for that is the noise alone from the increase in tanker traffic makes it more difficult for salmon to hunt, to catch their food, and communicate.”

She says this puts them at risk of deadly ship strikes as well.

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