10 Replies to "THE WHALE TRAIL: You're invited to the first in-person gathering in 2 years"

• For orca mammas March 18, 2022 (7:29 am)

  Quiet Sound initiative seems a step in the right direction.

  But, I’m concerned this sounds more helpful than it actually can be or quickly enough.

  Is it really enough to help our endangered orcas, at this critical point for them?

  It’s a voluntary program, a suggestion for reducing impacts, and while it is encouraging to see participation and some improvements, it is also great PR, helps make these industries look good like they’re doing the right thing for participating, while their industries continue to be a main stress and harm for whales.

  When people hear about this program, does it give them too much assurance, not be too concerned for orcas?

  While I think again, this is a step in the right direction, and I do applaud any and all efforts, we Salish Sea and Orca advocates just cannot truly rest assured, until there are true, clear signs, of their immediate recovery.

  • Kersti Muul March 18, 2022 (11:57 am)

    Maybe go and listen to what Rachel has to say.Any efforts to help the orcas are welcome. 

    • For orca mammas March 18, 2022 (4:32 pm)

      I agree any efforts to help orcas are welcome, but I wouldn’t agree that a start at helping with the issue is necessarily sufficient to their critical situation, or that people should be complacent with this. Not if we want to save resident orcas from extinction.

      More people raising their voice and asking tough questions for them, the better. Please folks, don’t wait until it’s too late for them, get informed, show up, ask questions, speak up.

      • Jayne March 19, 2022 (6:19 pm)

        I don’t think whale watching is an intelligent solution. Whales are intelligent have families and need to thrive in a world humans pollute.  Since they are mammals and territorial of their domain they are alot like us. Just imagine some species coming to your home throwing garbage around making noise and adding fuel to your private conjugal space taking your food and watching you. Yes I believe they know you are watching them they can also pick up on your thoughts and if they feel threat to themselves or loved ones will attack. Who could blame them. Set up cameras and let people watch at an iMac theater.

• 4oms March 18, 2022 (7:33 am)

  Also, again want to suggest this film for all to watch, to better understand the issues and impacts of underwater sound, for orcas and sea life.

  https://sonicsea.org

• For orca mammas March 18, 2022 (10:02 am)

  Also, thank you to the Whale Trail for organizing this gathering, and for all their good work on behalf of orcas.

  • Donna, The Whale Trail March 19, 2022 (12:13 pm)

    Thank you! We’ve been presenting Orca Talks in West Seattle since 2010. We are excited to tiptoe back into the world of public events, and I hope you can join us, for orca mammas.

    I share your concern that we are not doing enough, fast enough, for the orcas. The clock is ticking for the southern residents and we can’t look away for a minute. But we are not just standing idly by, and we can take hope and heart from the progress we have made.

    Of the threats facing the orcas, reducing noise and disturbance is the one thing we can do right now that will help, by making it easier for them to find food. And the good news is, we have

    A commercial whale-watching licensing program is now in place, requiring commercial operators to stay 1,000 yards away from the southern residents for most of the year. This is a significant change from the status quo, where the orcas were followed by dozens of boats every day, and up to 12 hours a day during the peak season.

    The licensing program is the outcome of a 3-yr public process that began on the Task Force. Together we have made a tangible difference in the lives of these vulnerable pods. When the SRKW return to the Salish Sea, it is quieter, and they have more acoustic space to forage and tend their young. A sea change is underway, against great odds. That should give us hope, and encourage us to keep going.

    Recent NOAA studies show how necessary these changes are – female southern resident orcas stop foraging when vessels approach closer than 400 yards.

    Quiet Sound is another vital solution, focused on reducing impacts from large vessels. I’ve been inspired by the high level of voluntary participation by large vessel operators, and their commitment to making changes that benefit the whales

    We still need meaningful distance requirements for recreational boaters. Until a regulatory solution is in place, boaters can voluntary pledge to stay 1,000 yards away from southern residents at givethemspace.org. More than 150 people have taken the pledge so far.

    Among the clouds there are rays of hope. I hope you can join us on Thursday!

    • For orca mammas March 19, 2022 (4:41 pm)

      👍Thank you Donna, and appreciate your shared concerns, for these orcas.

      This progress is wonderful, thanks for sharing these details, this is surely on path to helping their recovery! It is encouraging to see the voluntary participation and I’m grateful to see it.

      But, as you said, the clock is ticking… and we can’t look away for a minute. We need to keep pressing forward and do more to help them.

      As you know, there are only ~73 of these whales left, and their situation is dire. Look forward to celebrating once we see them rebounding, but they are still in crisis, and more is needed and swiftly.

      Every year, more animal species become extinct. In recent years wildfires some endangered bird species have been lost forever. How would one major oil spill  in our waters impact these struggling orcas? Or, even just a few years of increased large vessel traffic and naval testing within their range?

      Thank you for understanding, for your reply, and for all The Whale Trails good work! Hope to join and meet at some events in the future!

      Will this upcoming event be available on video for those who can’t make it but interested to tune in and learn more?

      • Donna, The Whale Trail March 20, 2022 (10:38 am)

        This event is in-person only. Thanks for asking – 

        • For orca mammas March 20, 2022 (3:07 pm)

          Got it, thanks, and happy gathering in person again!

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