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Gov. Gregoire signs bill to protect Orcas from vessel harassment
posted 03/28/2008
Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law today, March 28, 2008
legislation that further bolsters efforts to protect threatened resident
orca whales.
The new law (HB 2514) establishes a 300-foot zone around orca whales that
vessels must avoid. The law provides the Department of Fish and Wildlife
with enforcement tools to better protect the endangered Southern resident
whales.
"Thanks go to bill sponsors Sen. Harriet Spanel and Rep. Dave Quall and to
San Juan County Commissioner Kevin Ranker for their hard work on getting
this legislation passed," said People For Puget Sound policy director Bruce
Wishart.
"The state has done a good job in stepping up in orca protection when the
federal government hasn't," said Wishart.
Better orca protection, along with state funding of a year-round rescue tug
to be stationed at Neah Bay beginning in July 2008, made this year¹s
legislative session a good one for the whales.
Legislature Adopts Orca Protection Law
03/14/2008
PRESS RELEASE: This week the Washington House approved and sent to the Governor a bill which essentially writes into state law the protections for South Resident Killer Whales that the San Juan County Council adopted in September 2007.
Council Member Kevin Ranker, who has made regular trips to Olympia to lobby for the Council's legislative priorities said, "It is gratifying to know that we were able to help lead the way in protecting these magnificent animals."
Ranker said that 40th District Representative Dave Quall and Senator Harriet Spanel deserve special credit for sponsoring the legislation and noted, "We had active support from the 14 coastal counties, which was a major help."
The bill makes it illegal for vessels to approach within 300 feet of an orca whale and requires any motorized craft which finds itself within 300 feet of an orca to disengage its transmission. It also provides exceptions for safety, research and other reasons. Violations of the law will be classified as "natural resource infractions" which generally carry fines of up to $500.
The regulations were largely drawn from the "Whale Wise" guidelines created by the Whale Watch Operators Association of the Northwest, which has been a strong supporter of San Juan County’s Ordinance and the State Legislation.
The bill is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. San Juan County’s Orca Protection Ordinance will automatically expire when the state law takes effect.
"We said when we passed our ordinance that it was just a stop gap until state or federal protections were in place." Ranker said, "This is a case where it is a pleasure to see one of our ordinances expire."
Whale Watch Operators applaud
passage of bill based on "Be Whale Wise" guidelines
posted 03/11/1008
The Washington state Legislature has passed House Bill 2514, a measure to protect orcas based on "Be Whale Wise," the voluntary guidelines created by a group of organizations including the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest (WWOANW). The WWOANW applauded the Legislature for passing this bill to ensure that all vessels act respectfully and safely around the Southern Resident orcas. The bill now goes to Governor Chris Gregoire to be signed into law.
WWOANW is an international organization of 31 member companies. Founded in 1994, the Association provides a cohesive structure to the whale watching industry that operates in the trans-boundary waters of Washington and British Columbia. One of the Association's major objectives is to assist in the conservation of all marine species in these waters, but particularly to contribute to the conservation of the Southern Resident orcas.
"We have been voluntarily complying with the 100 yard/300 feet approach distance for a number of years" said Ivan Reiff, Owner/Captain of Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours. "We are happy to see these voluntary guidelines become law in Washington state, and especially to see the funding for additional recreational boater education."
"We’re very glad this law will likely be in effect for the 2008 season" said Dan Kukat, president and chair of WWOANW. "For years, our members have set a good example for other boaters about how to behave around the whales, but unfortunately not every other vessel operator follows or is even aware of the guidelines."
While passage of this bill is good news for the Southern Resident orcas, there are two critical issues for the whales that must still be addressed – lack of their preferred food, chinook salmon, and the prevalence of toxic contaminants in the whales’ environment. Forecasts for West Coast salmon returns are bleak this year, with record lows predicted in some areas.
WWOANW is involved with efforts, including the Puget Sound Partnership that will be working to remedy these issues. "Our naturalists help to get the word out to hundreds of thousands of people each year about ways individuals can help the whales, such as reducing the use of toxic chemicals in the home and maintaining a 'whale-friendly' lawn," said Darcie Larson, executive director of WWOANW. "Educating people who have fallen in love with the orcas after seeing them in the wild is one of the most effective tools we can use to protect these amazing whale families."
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