Orcas - the ubiquitous symbol of the San Juan islands are once again center stage. A local group Orca Relief, has begun protests against local commercial Whale Watching companies. This past weekend, the protest efforts picked up speed with the placement of stickers around town and in the harbor and confrontations with operators and customers. An article from the San Juan Islander is here.
At the heart of the matter is the charge that whale watching constitutes harassment and pursuit of an endangered species.
Orca Relief website is here.
The whale watching owners organization, Pacific Whale Watch Association subscribes to the following set of guidelines.
Wikipedia info on Orcas is here.
7/15/09 update: Additional Island Guardian post is here.
(Ed. note: For some perspective it should be noted that I know a number of Captains, Naturalists, and Owners in the Whale Watching fleet.)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Whale Wars - San Juan Style
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Protest launched against whale-watching boats
http://www.sanjuanislander.com/groups/orca-relief/protest.shtml
This was really a very informative and helpful Post. In my link list in NAUTICAL LOG I have added Pacific Whale Watch because of their 'Guidelines'. This is very good and area boaters should keep a copy so as to refer to it when marine mammals, singly or pods, are spotted.
As regards protesting against whale watching boats per se, caution is needed. This a legitimate maritime business which, when well run, can be a great days outing and an educational experience. Firstly one has to find out how each vessel is behaving while actually whale watching. Secondly what is the total number of boats with a pod at any one time. Thirdly are they harrassing and/or stressing the whales by their power, such as 40 knot RHIBS full of persons, going full speed. The result of such a survey may result in a setting of limits for the total number of vessel, the setting of limits as to design and powering of such boats. Setting 'speed-with-whales-limits' and 'number-of-boats-with-mammals' at any one time. The aim should be to achieve a procedure for many people to enjoying seeing marine mammels but at the same time NOT harassing or stressing those marine mammels. So please approach this in an intelligent way, consulting with all the parties involved to achieve a system so we can all enjoy whale watching.
Good Watch
This says to me: “Sound Watch” is irrelevant. No wonder they were all over you the other day, Richard. They are trying to justify their existence in the face of a new Sheriff in town, the Orca Relief – who clearly are unhappy with SW’s stewardship. Now these citizens will go it alone through intimidation. I would not be surprised if, during one of these bully sessions, someone actually gets injured.
Mark,
Let's hope no one gets hurt by action any group, no matter how well intentioned.
Quis custodiet ipsos Custodes
Good Watch
Ah, Juvenal, my well read friend.
leo reef-1....
Seattle P-I headline:
'80 passengers taken off grounded whale watch boat'
The Odyssey ran aground Wednesday evening.
Post a Comment