"It's the ecosystem stupid; that's clearly the problem," said Fred Felleman, a marine consultant from Friends of the Earth. "We have economic crises nationally, we have an environmental crisis globally."
To restore balance to the ecosystem, not only do salmon need to be protected for the whales, but herring must be plentiful for the salmons' feed, highlighting the links in the environment.
On a recent evening overlooking the ocean, a Native American tribe came out to mourn the missing seven orcas and pray for the continued health of the rest.
"Our elders, our forefathers used to tell stories that certain individuals were rescued by the whales," one of the tribe's members said. "Our culture, we respect all of life and we are saddened when life is taken away."
The tribe believes that whales are guardians of the sea and are in need of help. Scientists agree and many, like Balcomb, are calling on the community to protect these majestic creatures.
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