Group Sues to Have Killer Whales De-listed as Endangered

Petitioners say listing caused severe cutbacks to affected farms in California

In a petition to de-list filed today, attorneys from the Pacific Legal Foundation assert that the 2005 listing of the Southern Resident killer whale distinct population segment ("DPS") as endangered under the Endangered Species Act ("ESA") is illegal. The petition, filed on behalf of a non-profit organization and two San Joaquin Valley farms, petitions the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to de-list the Southern Resident killer whale DPS as endangered. The Southern Resident killer whale DPS was listed as endangered in 2005 and is the only population of killer whale that is listed under the ESA.