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SAN JUAN COUNTY MARINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

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Marine Resource Committee Recommendations Regarding Management of Whale Watching

posted 05/17/01
This document is the product requested of the Marine Resources Committee (MRC) by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Beginning with MRC fact finding in November 2000 through BOCC work sessions and MRC work sessions the following policy recommendations are approved by the MRC and formally transmitted to the BOCC per BOCC request.

This document combines, organizes and prioritizes the recommendations gathered through the above series of meetings and work sessions.

The MRC does not believe that the "status quo" adequately protects the local Orca Whale population. Recovery of the population to healthy levels will require implementation of a comprehensive plan that addresses all of the factors causing the decline over the past decade. Pending development of such a plan, adoption of the following recommendations will help to protect the local population from further decline.

Industry Self Regulation

  1. Work with the Whale Watch Operators Association – Northwest (WWOANW), Soundwatch and the Canadian M3 (Marine Mammal Monitoring) program to establish better guidelines for whale watching from boats.

    1. Annually review and, if appropriate, endorse the WWOANW guidelines; recognize that these will continue to be refined.

    2. Strongly encourage the WWOANW to distribute the M3 program brochure (which includes illustrations of guidelines for better communication to nonmembers and general public).

  2. Determine an effective mechanism for affirming that the WWOANW adequately polices its members.

    1. Strongly encourage the WWOANW to keep the county informed when members are voted out of the association for noncompliance with the guidelines.

    2. Request that the WWOANW report annually to the county on its member compliance procedures and actions, and provide opportunity for the MRC to review and, if appropriate, endorse, the procedures for noncompliance.

    3. Strongly encourage the WWOANW and Soundwatch to work with the county, Canadian governments, and the appropriate non-governmental organizations to use the Soundwatch and other credible records of observed noncompliance by members and nonmembers as a measurement of effectiveness.

  3. Determine at what distance a whale is adversely affected by a vessel. The science regarding this issue is being developed.

  4. Determine the cost of the 800 number ("How am I driving?") system.

    1. As part of a broader public education campaign, implement an 800 number for the public to use to provide feedback.

    2. Strongly encourage that creation and ongoing maintenance of this program should be jointly funded by the County and WWOANW.

    Private Boater Management

  5. Determine an effective mechanism that will bring the private boaters into compliance.

    1. Strongly encourage regional recreational boating organizations to create and maintain an advertising campaign to educate private boaters about the guidelines.

    2. Strongly encourage the WWOANW to agree to a financial partnership with the County to implement a significant media campaign educating boaters about the guidelines.

    Protected Areas

  6. Propose larger or additional protected areas for whales. For example:

    1. Investigate the designation, by San Juan County, of a "whale watch free" zone for Orca Whales.

    2. Pursue cooperative transboundary "whale watch free" zone designation and monitoring efforts in coordination with the transboundary MPA program in the future.

    3. Strongly encourage extending the existing ½ mile protected area at Limekiln to Eagle Point.

    4. Strongly encourage establishing a "slow zone" between Battleship Island and Eagle Point.

    5. Strongly encourage the WWOANW to adopt a formal requirement that all members respect the maximum guidelines for all existing federal, state and county marine protected areas.

    Limited Entry Permit System

  7. Investigate the limited entry system.

    1. Publish an RFQ for legal advice.

    2. Using the above advice determine the probable legal efficacy of a limited entry system.

    3. Using "best available science" determine the probable efficacy of a limited entry system for protecting the local Orca population.

    Education and Outreach

  8. Create and maintain an advertising campaign, separate from outreach in item 5, above, to educate the public about the need to protect the Orca whales.

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