The meeting was started with an overview of the new proposals by Lynne Barre and Donna Darm of NOAA, This was followed by opening up the floor to comments from those attending. Each was limited to two minutes, and the moderator did a wonderful job of keeping to that time limit and keeping control.
The Issue of Enforcement
The majority of the comments disagreed with NOAA's proposals. Many felt that new regulations were not necessary, and the orcas would be better served if the present ones were enforced. The issue of enforcement was one of the two most popular subjects last night. Many of the speakers pointed out that it is the pleasure boats that were the problem, and not the whale watch boats, and that often the whale watch boats would radio the pleasure boats to tell them to slow down as the orcas were present. It was also pointed out that the boater education program that all boaters are required to attend makes no mention of how a boater is to behave around the orcas. This is definitely a topic that needs to be addressed.
Salmon Recovery
The second topic that was mentioned the most was that of salmon recovery. Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research started the ball rolling stating in effect that the boats do not bother the whales and what is important is that we have to get them fish. Many others echoed Ken's comments.
Salmon Recovery and Enforcement
It was, however, Monika Wieland, author of Orca Encounters who brought both of the issues together in her brilliant statement. She said, "The Southern Residents were only listed as endangered after they were designated as a distinct population segment, which defines them as separate not only from other cetaceans, but from other members of their own species. It seems inconsistent, then, that so much of the science cited in the proposal focuses on a wide variety of other species from other places. As one example, I’ll point out that a primary citation for the impact of kayaks on killer whales comes from studies of Steller sea lion haul outs in Alaska.
Of the science that does specifically focus on the Southern Residents, the results are tenuous at best. If you talk directly to the researchers you will realize many of the results are more inconclusive than indicated in the proposal. Even if you accept their findings, for instance that whales do more surface active behaviors or vocalize louder in the presence of boats, you have to realize that these changes in behavior are not biologically significant. I understand that ideally we don’t want humans to impact whale behavior in any way, but when talking about their survival, extra tail slaps or louder calls are not going to make or break this population.
No matter how many regulations we put in place, there will continue to be violations. Not just because these regulations would be difficult to enforce, or the fact that there is insufficient enforcement for even our current regulations, but because after spending nine years observing these whales from boats and shore, it is clear to me that they are going to do whatever they want to do whether boats are there or not. They will chase salmon under boats if that’s where they want to feed, they will change direction and pass near a boat if that’s where they want to travel, and they will even seek out boats like freighters (the loudest, largest, and fastest moving vessels the whales routinely encounter) just to surf in their wakes for the fun of it like I saw them do a few weeks ago.
So much time and effort has been focused on the vessel issue. I wish this much energy was being put towards salmon recovery, the true deal breaker for the Southern Resident orcas."
Bravo, Monika!
Other speakers made comments on the vessel regulations and salmon recovery issues. Examples were that NOAA needed to listen to Ken Balcomb who knows more about the southern resident orcas than anyone else on the planet, and was, in fact, given the title of "Mother of all Whale Watchers".
The Pacific Whale Watch Association
The Pacific Whale Watch Association recommended a slow go zone, rather than a no go zone. The no go zone was a very unpopular issue last night as it affects not only the whale watch industry, but also fishing vessels. Most agreed that a compromise was needed. Other members of the PWWA pointed out how many people are educated and inspired to change the way they live their lives after see the orcas. People come from all over the world just to see the southern resident orcas. Not only do they get to see the orcas, they also receive educational information on how to make changes in their lifestyle to help our environment.
In Conclusion
NOAA has a lot of thinking to do, and it was suggested by many that they go back to the drawing board as what they have proposed is impractical, in light of the lack of enforcement. It was also suggested that they expend their energy towards salmon recovery as that is a much bigger issue for the future of the southern resident orcas. One gentleman also suggested that NOAA give the orcas more credit as he said, "the whales are not as dumb as NOAA".
For those unable to attend the meetings, comments can be sent to NOAA at orca.plan@noaa.gov The cut off date is October 27.
For More Information:
Proposal by NOAA Fisheries on vessel traffic near Southern Resident Orcas
NOAA's proposal on vessel traffic & the southern resident orcas
New Proposed NOAA regulations - A Counter proposal from the Pacific Whale Watch Association
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