On World Oceans Day, June 8th, the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) of Earth Island Institute joined the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, Pacific Environment, and many other organizations in sponsoring an event on the shores of San Francisco Bay: A Wake for the Whales.
The event began with a blessing and acknowledgment of the indigenous inhabitants of San Francisco Bay by Kanyon CoyoteWoman Sayers-Roods with Kanyon Konsulting LLC, who sang a Grandmother’s song in her native language.
I followed her blessing, noting that we have seen a tremendous comeback of gray, fin, blue, and humpback whales along the California coast since whaling was outlawed with the closing of the last whaling station in the US in Richmond, California.
But now, these same whale species are facing different environmental threats: ship strikes, entanglement in plastic fishing gear, and climate change. I noted that we can fix these problems, but we have to act now.
In less than six months, a dozen whales have washed up dead on Northern California beaches. The cause of death for many of the whales is unknown, but at least four are believed to have been hit by ocean-going ships, speeding faster than the whales could react to get out of the way.
Many gray whales have washed ashore that appear malnourished, and scientists suggest that climate change may reduce the amount of bottom-dwelling amphipods that form the food source for gray whales.
Fishing gear, particularly the lines that link surface buoys to lobster and crab traps set on the ocean bottom, is harming the whales as well. Thousands of these traps are found all along with whale migration and feeding areas off California.
About fifty people attended the Whale Wake event, (all wearing masks for the pandemic) and the event made evening news with several local media outlets.
IMMP often plays a major role in these public efforts to provide the public with educational information about how they can help protect whales, dolphins, and their marine habitat.
Ship Strikes: In the last three years, ships struck at least 27 whales in California waters. Scientists say the actual number could be up to 20x higher since many whales sink after death and are never found.
Ships need to slow down! Federal officials should adopt mandatory 10-knot speed limits for ships entering important whale habitats. Representative Carbajal of California is considering introducing a bill requiring ship regulations to reduce pollution and avoid harm to a whale. Email Rep. Carbajal in support of ship speeds to protect whales!
Fill out the Contact Form on Rep. Carbajal’s website: https://carbajal.house.gov/contact/
Entanglement: More than 283 whales were entangled in fishing gear off the West Coast between 2015-2020. Ropes can wrap around the mouths, tails, and fins of whales, injuring or killing them.
Currently, ropeless fishing gear is the only way to eliminate whale entanglements without closing the fishery. Tweet at Governor Newsom asking him to support regulations that transition California to ropeless fishing gear.
Sample Tweet: @GavinNewsom save whales in CA and support ropeless fishing gear. #SavetheWhales #WhaleWake
Climate Crisis: Send an email to Speaker Pelosi urging action to get ships off polluting fossil fuels and protect the oceans.
Fill out the contact form on Speaker Pelosi’s website: https://www.speaker.gov/contact
For more information and sample Tweets & Emails.
