This documentary features the life’s work of orca whale researcher Ken Balcomb and the beloved Puget Sound Southern Resident orca, of which only 73 remain. The orcas’ prize food is Snake River chinook salmon — but those salmon are on the precipice of extinction due to four obsolete dams that choke off access to thousands of miles of rivers. “Dammed to Extinction” shows how removing these dams will save money, salmon, and orca.
Chinook salmon are in trouble — with less than one percent of their historic abundance returning; this year’s numbers are particularly dismal. Dams have been the main culprit behind salmon’s demise. The orca are starving. A broad and growing coalition of scientists, economists, conservationists, and citizens say removing these Lower Snake River fish killing dams is the best chance we have to bring abundant runs of salmon and the orca that rely on them.
The timing of this film — and its urgent call to action — could not be better. Northwest salmon and Southern Resident orcas need our help today. Citizens regionally and nationally are calling for bold leadership and urgent action. Northwest elected officials have begun to step up and advocate for some big changes to restore our salmon, protect our orcas and invest in our communities.
Eastern and Western Washington are one watershed, and this issue brings us together, to stand up and protect what we love. Restoring the lower Snake River and its chinook salmon populations is our biggest river and salmon restoration opportunity on the West Coast. Join us for the film and discussion afterward, on what orcas need — and what we all can do together to get it done.
Sponsors: Meaningful Movies Port Townsend, Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, QUUF Green Sanctuary Environmental Action Committee, and QUUF Social and Environmental Justice Council.