Wednesday July 15, 2009, 2:46 am
Last Saturday morning, July 11, 2009, for the first time in history, a protest action was launched by San Juan Island residents against commercial whale watch boats following resident orca whales. The action began a few miles off San Juan Island’s west side. The protesters were echoing a message first brought to San Juan Island by the biological and legal staff of the National Marine Fisheries Service during a recent federal hearing in Friday Harbor: according to the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to pursue the Southern Resident Orca. And that, the group claims, is exactly what the commercial fleet is doing, all day, every day of the tourist season, with airplane spotters, land scouts, radio and Internet communications, and high-speed boats assuring the success of the chase.

The whales were declared endangered over a year ago, without any change in enforcement by the U.S. government.

"It is illegal to pursue an endangered species,"ORCA Chair Mark Anderson commented. "These companies advertise guaranteed whale sightings, and that means they are pursuing them in order to make their money. This is against federal law, and it is time for this law to be enforced, before we lose what is left of these pods.

"Imagine the idea of creating a business to pursue an endangered species! It sounds as crazy as it is."

The protesters approached a number of whale watch boats and broadcast this message over a megaphone:

"Attention whale watchers: We are a group of islanders who are concerned that our resident population of orcas is moving toward extinction. They need to be left alone! They need the freedom to hunt without the impact of being pursued all day by the whale watch fleet.

"The pursuit of these whales is a violation of the Endangered Species Act, Section 9, and of the Marine Mammal Protection Act Of 1973. You and your customers are violating federal law. You need to stop immediately, and know that by doing so, you are helping to save this group from extinction. If you do not stop immediately, the evidence of your violation will be turned into the National Marine Fisheries Service for prosecution."

The group suggested there would be continued protest actions throughout the summer.

Orca Relief Citizens’ Alliance is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Washington Corporation. It is the only non-profit in the world dedicated exclusively to reducing orca mortality. The Southern Resident Orca Population has been declared an endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act by the National Marine Fisheries Service. More information is available at www.orcarelief.org.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:32 am
Accolades to the Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance group. Thanks Claudia

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:46 am
i'm glad Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance group were there thanks claudia

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 4:48 am
You go protesters. I love how they took care of those whale watching boats. Thanks Claudia.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 6:35 am
Thanks you Claudia. Observing wildlife means respecting it as well. Pursuit is harrassment, not respect.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:59 am
Thanks Claudia... I hope they give those Whales some space, I'm sure it's hard enough on them as it is.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 8:54 am
This is good news Thanks Claudia!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 9:30 am
Jolly good show this is a welcome act by the San Juan Islanders they at least see the benefits in protecting theese whales.I hope that the whalewatchers take heed.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 10:24 am
noted ckadia and i gald that their doing this

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 10:59 am
Hooray for this Group of brave people!

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:16 pm
Just another example of how things get spoiled when they go mainstream.
As always ...Profit before ......just about everything that matters.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 3:56 pm
I don't live close enough to drive up and join in now;
BUT If they continue;
after I get my sailboat;
I will be happy to help Block them..
as Sailboats have Right of way over Power...

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 5:19 pm
Kudos to these islanders! Thank you Claudia.

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 7:20 pm
Oh yea,WTG Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance group !! Good work!
Tx Claudia

Wednesday July 15, 2009, 8:12 pm
I watch the orca when they pass by our waters and with the amount of whale watching boats surrounding them, it is hard to see them. too bad we just can't let others just "be".

Thursday July 16, 2009, 2:15 am
There must be a compromise. Whale watching brings much needed money to local economies and means that whales are being shot by cameras only, not harpoons... however, if this is taken to extremes then the distress caused by all the boats, etc could do just as much harm as any whaling ship. Steps need to be taken to find a solution that everyone (and the whales) can live with.

Monday July 20, 2009, 5:20 am
What seems to be of interest to people can be such a hindrance to our creatures in the wild. We need to keep our distance and let these peaceful babies live the life they were meant to live. Such Beauty
We love them,
Thanks Claudia

Saturday July 25, 2009, 8:58 am
WAY OVER DUE I SAY. Leave them alone, they are pods - totally take care of their young and all these STUPID HUMANS CAN DO is disrupt them, kill them, more laws and stop these looky loos - SHOULD OF SAID LOONEY TUNES from looking. In fact, stop all whale view boats Period. They have been bumped into - run over etc. This has to be put to a stop, humans can look at the ones that are already bothered and captured to a life of misery at Sea World...go there, leave the WILD ANIMALS ALONE...WE NEED A BIG DO NOT DISTURB SIGN ON ALL PORTS!!!