Since early 1993, approximately 24 orcas are known to have been born into the Southern resident community. Over the past few years, whale watching companies have by and large learned to behave responsibly around orcas, as has most of the public. Efforts to publicize voluntary boaters' guidelines, now being done by the Soundwatch program, whale watch operators and many others, have already alleviated much of the impact of boat traffic. Increased coverage of boaters and continuing publicity throughout the region about the need to avoid stressing the whales could remove most of the remaining problem. Whale-watching can help people to personally experience the grace and mystery of orcas.
People often grow to care about the whales from seeing how they live.
The problem the orcas face is the same one we all face, systemic neglect of our watershed and marine habitat. Though restoring salmon habitat is more complex than regulating boat traffic and calls for more creative solutions, only healthy, abundant runs of salmon will provide the sustenance the whales need if they are to survive and continue to inhabit the inland waterways of Washington. Howard Garrett is president of the Orca Conservancy in Greenbank.