OLYMPIA – As of Jan. 1, 2025, boaters in Washington waters must stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) at all times. The busy waters of Puget Sound pose a significant threat to this endangered population of orcas, which relies on echolocation to hunt and communicate. The new rules, passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2023, are intended to reduce vessel noise and allow the whales to forage and rest with minimal disturbance.