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Endangered Orcas Still Studied To Death
posted on April 19, 2006
 Researchers studying what orcas obviously eat are harassing orcas in the San Juan Islands.
Lifeforce, a Vancouver based ecology organization, continues to urge the Canadian and US governments to take immediate actions to protect the endangered Southern Community of orcas. Both governments are developing Orca Recovery Plans but it may be too little too late. While scientists still debate what to do an orca has died and others continue to be threatened.
"Too much time and money is spent on "proving" what is already know and not enough immediate action taken to mitigate threats, " stated Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Founder, "Luna was a member of the endangered Southern Community and was not reunited with his family. Why did the system fail? An "Orca Inquest" must be conducted so he will not have died in vain."
On April 3-5 there was a "2006 Killer Whale Symposium" at NOAA Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA to report research findings and to promote more research. On April 18 and 19th there is "oil spill response training but no discussion of how to keep marine mammals away from oil spills.
Lifeforce has developed methods to attract orcas away from environmental hazards such as oil spills and vessel accidents. Equipment, training and readiness costs must be made available now. In 1999 J and K pods were exposed to an oil spill at Cherry Point. Recently J pod was in the area of another spill.
"Since the 80s Lifeforce has been fighting to protect these orcas. If immediate actions are not taken their survival is threatened." added Hamilton, "The system has failed to implement plans to protect them. Many of those in charge of policies and programs are studying them to death."
Other Lifeforce recommendations include:
1. Present boat monitoring programs fail to control pleasure boaters and whale watch companies. Responsible agencies (WDFW, NMMF, NOAH, DFO) need to be trained, be on the water and be fining boaters in violation of the guidelines/regulations.
2. Obtain assurances with the Whale Watch Operators Association for the 2006 season. Agreements must include maximum 30-minute observation periods, No Whale Watch Zones such as Active Pass, 1/4 to 1/2 mile buffer zones for all shorelines and stopping harmful operations such as blocking pathways.
3. The orcas' food and depletion of fish stocks are already known. Use this information to implement moratoriums on salmon fishing to rebuild stocks for orcas and people.
4. Convene a Public Inquiry into the death of Luna. Strategies and policies could be applied to Orca Recovery Plans and improved Marine Mammal Regulations.
5. Form a joint Canadian/US Research Task Force with public participation to review all present and proposed research. Essential studies only, not basic science. No close approaches/focal follows especially with other boats present because these boaters usually are left with the impression that it is okay for them to get close.
6. Distribute education materials (wildlife regulations, green boating and household pollution) to all marinas in 2006. Boaters may also be reached through licensing.
7. Critical habitat during most of the year is already known. Use this knowledge to address immediate threats such as dumping raw sewage off Victoria and any future noise pollution by the proposed Delta Port Container Expansion.
8. Promote Orca Trails Land Based Whale Watching as discussed in WA Report on Wildlife Viewing Opportunities. |
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