Scientists say a new calf born to an endangered orca population off B.C.'s coast is cause to celebrate, but it also means another mouth to feed.

The Washington state-based Center for Whale Research says the baby named L-123 is the seventh calf born into the Southern Resident population in the past year.

Researchers with the centre say with every new calf that's born, there's an even greater need to emphasize wild Chinook salmon restoration.

They say restoration efforts must include the removal of obsolete dams that block salmon from their natural spawning habitat.