March 11, 2008

Whale Watch Operators Applaud Passage of Bill Based on Be Whale Wise Guidelines

Friday Harbor, WA – 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.”

Media Contacts:

Darcie Larson, Executive Director, (206) 409-4785   
Email:

Dan Kukat, Chair & President (250) 686-4886   
Email:

February 29, 2008

Friday Harbor, WA and Victoria, BC – The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest (WWOANW), is pleased to announce that Darcie Larson was named executive director on January 17, 2008.

The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest is an international organization of 31 member companies that operate from Seattle, Orcas Island, San Juan Island, Anacortes, Bellingham, Everett, La Conner, Port Townsend, Victoria, Vancouver, Duncan, Richmond and Sidney. 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 Killer Whales. The executive director is responsible for guiding the Association’s conservation agenda, and will represent the Association at meetings and workshops addressing issues of concern to the industry throughout the region. “In addition to advocating for responsible whale watching and maintaining high standards for our members in that regard, my goal is for the Association to be at the forefront of conservation initiatives that will benefit the whales. Restoring abundant wild salmon is a top priority, as is cleaning up toxic contaminants found in the marine environment” said Larson.

Prior to accepting the executive director position with WWOANW, Darcie Larson was the associate director of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, working on a campaign to restore abundant wild salmon to the Columbia River Basin. A native of the Puget Sound region, Larson holds Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in biology from Western Washington University. She participated in the marine naturalist training program through The Whale Museum on San Juan Island, where she completed an internship and served as a volunteer with the Soundwatch Boater Education program. Larson has worked as a professional marine naturalist since 1999, educating the public on whale watch boats and through local school programs.

“We are extremely pleased to have Darcie Larson join us as our executive director, as she brings the experience and skills that will help the Association continue to be a leader in the sustainable eco-tourism sector world-wide” said Darrell Bryan, President and CEO of Clipper Navigation, Incorporated.

Media Contacts:

Darcie Larson, Executive Director, (206) 409-4785   
Email:

Dan Kukat, Chair & President (253) 686-4886   
Email:

WHALE WATCH OPERATORS ASSOCIATION DONATES $10,000 USD FOR KILLER WHALE RESEARCH AND PUBLIC EDUCATION

November 2, 2005

The Annual General Meeting of the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest (WWOANW) was held on October 25, 2005 in Friday Harbor, Washington. Association members voted unanimously to support local killer whale research and public education programs. Three organizations are receiving US funds to achieve these goals: $3,000 to the Canadian Marine Mammal Monitoring Program (known as M3), $3,000 to the Friday Harbor based Soundwatch Boater Education Program and $4,000 San Juan Island based Center for Whale Research, run by the respected whale scientist Ken Balcomb.

The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest is an international organization of 31 member companies that operate from Victoria, Sidney, Vancouver, Duncan, Richmond, North Vancouver, Friday Harbor, Deer Harbor, Anacortes, Bellingham, Seattle, La Conner, Everett and Orcas Island. 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.

Supporting local scientists and educators that significantly contribute to the conservation of the Southern Resident Killer Whale population is a primary objective of the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest.

The membership agreed that the on-the-water education programs of M3 and Soundwatch are fundamental to the conservation of resident killer whales through their public outreach programs. These organizations are in direct contact with the public who are engaged in whale watching and provide them with appropriate viewing guidelines. Soundwatch and M3 thereby promote responsible whale watching.

Ken Balcomb, of the Center for Whale Research, began a killer whale census in 1976 using individual whale identifications. Without such long-term data sets, tracking the population dynamics would be impossible. Commercial whale watchers educate passengers from around the world, based on research findings of such long-term studies.

The three grants totaling $10,000 USD will contribute to both public education and scientific research of the killer whales that live in British Columbia and Washington.

Contact: Anna Hall, Executive Director, Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, 250-727-5709
Email:

Second Contact: Shane Aggergaard, President, Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, 1-800-465-4605
Email:

Six New Killer Whale Calves In BC and Washington Waters

June 27, 2005

Six different female killer whales from the southern resident killer whale community have given birth over the past 18 months. This wave of births began in December 2003, with a calf born to a 33 (est.) year old female known as K-12. Ten months later two calves were born to L-Pod females, and by Christmas 2004, K-Pod had had another calf, as did J-Pod. The most recent addition, again an L-Pod whale, is thought to have been born at the end of May or in early June. This very exciting news brings the population back up to 89 animals, from the recent (2001) low of 79 animals.

Each whale is identifiable by its natural markings and all are given an alphanumeric identification code. The Centre for Whale Research, based on San Juan Island (WA), conducts an annual photographic census of the southern resident population.

The first count was in 1976, when the Center for Whale Research recorded 71 whales. In general, the population grew over the next 20 years, and in 1995, the population peaked to 99 whales. Between 1995 and 2001, the population declined to 79 animals. Less than four years later, the population has again risen to 89 whales.

These killer whales are well known to British Columbia and Washington State residents as they frequent the inland waters year-round. The killer whales are especially common in the summer months and form the basis for the local whale watching industry.

The Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest reminds all boaters to give the killer whales at least the required 100-metre/yard minimum distance and to respect all marine wildlife by remembering that the six new calves and their families will be in the inland waters throughout the summer months.

Contact: Anna Hall, Executive Director, Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, 250-727-5709
Email:

Second Contact: Shane Aggergaard, President, Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest, 1-800-465-4605
Email:

PRESS RELEASE:

WHALE WATCHERS PROMOTE BOATER EDUCATION AND MARINE CONSERVATION

January 26, 2004

From January 16th to 25th, 2004, at the Seattle Boat Show, volunteers from the Whale Watch Operators Association North West (WWOANW) operated a booth on the 2nd floor handing out educational materials about whales and wildlife viewing in the Puget Sound. This is one of many venues that members are participating in to bring attention to the local Southern Resident Killer Whales, marine mammals and wildlife:

• To promote Responsible Whale Watching
• To educate recreational boaters
• To encourage kids to get involved in marine science, salmon recovery and whale watching at any and all levels

The Whale Watch Operators Association - North West is the international industry organization representing 32 commercial whale watchers operating in the Pacific North West. 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 these Southern Resident Killer Whales.

WWOANW works with the SoundWatch Program, The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, The Center for Whale Research, the Marine Mammal Monitoring Program (M3), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and others towards conservation and stewardship.

Members of the WWOANW are currently involved in several key initiatives aimed at insuring the long-term welfare of the Southern Resident Killer Whales including Killer Whale Recovery Plans in the U.S. and Canada, School Student Education Programs and the development of strict international Marine Mammal Viewing Regulation.

For more information, visit www.nwwhalewatchers.org

Contact:
Jim Dale, Secretary
Whale Watch Operators Association North West (WWOANW)
Email Address info@nwwhalewatchers.org
Website URL www.nwwhalewatchers.org