Whale watching in Washington safer for Orcas
The official marine mammal of Washington state - the orca whale - received protection from Governor Christine Gregoire last Friday when she signed House Bill 2514 to create a 300-foot “vessel-free” buffer zone around orcas. The law provides the Department of Fish and Wildlife with enforcement tools to better protect the endangered Southern resident whales.
After listing the southern resident orca whale population as depleted in 2003 and endangered in 2005, the federal government identified impacts from vessels as a significant threat to these marine mammals. It is unclear from the bill what punishment violaters of this new law will face.
Local environmental group People for Puget Sound hailed the decision - along with state funding of a year-round rescue tug to be stationed at Neah Bay - as good for the 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.”
The bill also specifically called for education to assist Washington state residents on how to reduce the risk of disturbing this whale population. So be on the lookout for information at local marinas, boat dealers and upcoming boat shows in the coming months.
