Victory for the Gray Whale and Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve!

On 2 March Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo and officials of Mitsubishi Corp. announced that the government of Mexico and Mitsubishi Corp. would not continue to pursue construction of a salt works project adjacent to San Ignacio lagoon, a major calving area for the gray whale. The deciding factor was the "national and world importance and the uniqueness of the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve", President Zedillo told a news conference. This tremendous victory represents the diligent efforts of many environmental organizations, notably the Natural Resources Defense Council, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Earth Island Institute, Greenpeace, and a large coalition of Mexican groups. Please thank Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo.

The Cape Cod Stranding Network

Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has the dubious distinction of being one of the world's rare "hotspots" for cetacean strandings. There have been so many events over the years that Cape Cod Bay is a living laboratory for understanding natural causes of mass strandings. Its history also serves as an example of the best and worst in human responses. Many individual whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and marine turtles also strand, and all deserve and require responses by law. In the past decades the region's unique blend of scientific facilities, aquariums, animal welfare organizations, local organizations and hundreds of volunteers have produced occasional problems as conflicts between expert and dedicated people occasionally reduced the efficiency and success of rescue efforts.

As a solution, the Cape Cod Stranding Network was recently established to coordinate human responses to local events, particularly the dramatic mass strandings that can quickly overwhelm all available resources. With a Board made up of all major responding organizations, the CCSN has consolidated all resources under the general goal of humane care and scientific investigation of all stranded marine mammals. We urge you to support the CCSN by becoming a member. Please contact Program Director Katie Touhey or Liz Pomfret at P.O. Box 287, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 USA. Tel: 508-743-9805. Fax: 508-759-5477. Web: http://www.capecodstranding.net. In today's tiny world it doesn't matter where you live. You can be a part of and support a most worthwhile effort, and learn the known facts about one of the most dramatic of the ocean's mysteries, strandings.

CSI is pleased that the rescue pontoons we purchased from Project Jonah in New Zealand some years ago, and donated to stranding recovery operations on the Cape, are a ready part of the increasingly sophisticated responses. With our long history of interest in strandings, particularly the potential for on-scene rescue, rehabilitation, and release to the wild, CSI has researched and networked worldwide responses to stranding events since the 80's. These files will be donated to the CCSN as well.

The Cape Cod Stranding Network responded to two long-finned pilot whales that stranded at Chatham on Cape Cod 27 June. The whales were successfully rehabilitated at Mystic Aquarium, Connecticut, and released 20 October off the coast of Rhode Island. Both whales had satellite tracking devices that reported their dive times, depths, and positions for 132 days. This remarkable record not only illuminated much about this deep water species, but proved conclusively that stranded cetaceans can survive long after release. For details, including the whales' track, please see http://www.mysticaquarium.org. CSI congratulates Mystic and the Network for their achievement, and we look forward to the day when such successful releases are routine. Many hundreds of cetaceans have been rehabilitated and released at or close to their stranding site, particularly in countries without close captive facilities, or when the group's numbers could not be accommodated. Increasingly sophisticated techniques have demonstrated how to triage and treat animals, reestablish equilibrium and muscle tone, group stability and cohesion, and coordinate an on-site release that works. But even as the whales swim away with vigor there is no way to verify their survival unless they can be tracked remotely for a reasonable time. The low-tech solutions work, but the high-tech people demand proof.

Toxins

A well known orca called J18, or Everett, washed ashore near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in mid March. The 6.5-meter, 22-year-old member of the famous J pod was so contaminated with PCB's that it was classed as toxic waste. The plan to tow the body into remote waters to decompose was highly criticized because that would simply recycle the contaminants. PCB's are believed to suppress an animal's immune system, making it more vulnerable to infection by viruses or bacteria.

This is the latest death in the southern resident or Salish Sea orca population, which has dropped from 98 to 82 in four years. These orcas may be the stars of countless documentaries, and the foundation of a very profitable whale watch industry, but they are also among the most contaminated marine mammals in the world. Canada listed them as an Endangered Species in April, 1999. The Whale Museum in Washington state is working with many regional researchers to persuade the U.S. to list these orcas as Endangered as well, to the well funded concern of local industry. Some of the benefits would include a better understanding of the sources of toxins, faster recovery of the salmon these orcas prey upon, and a reduction in the potential impacts from whale watching. For more information see http://www.whale-museum.org and join the effort to get this population Endangered status.

The Vancouver Aquarium is conducting a necropsy on Everett to determine the exact cause of death, but immune suppression and prey shortages probably initiated the process.

Entanglements

A ban on purse seine fishing in Queensland waters, Australia, was begun in early March, more than a year after Department of Primary Industries (DPI) figures revealed purse seine fishing for pilchards within the state's 12km limit had entrapped 76 dolphins and killed nine in a 12 month period. The dolphins died in 1997 and 1998, the figures were not released until 1999, and the ban was not imposed for over a year after that, bringing criticism from the Opposition for not banning the fishing method immediately after the dolphin death figures were released. The dolphin fatalities led to the seven-member Queensland Fisheries Management Authority being fired and an emergency two-month ban on purse seine fishing being issued. The ban will not apply in federal waters, including areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

About 400 dead dolphins washed ashore on western French beaches in late February, victims of French and Spanish trawlers. The trawlers drag funnel-shaped "pelagic nets" in search of schooling fish, and have had to become larger, faster, and more sophisticated to catch dwindling fish stocks in a cycle of overfishing and economic pressures now seen all over the world. Since the introduction of these nets at the end of the 1980's dead dolphin strandings have increased by six times. The vast majority of the dead dolphins sink to the bottom of the sea. Estimates of the total kill run into the thousands killed every year. Ironically those fishermen who will discuss the problem call it "overproduction".

Can NMFS Find the Right Way to Save Right Whales?

Perhaps 325 North Atlantic right whales are still alive. Extinction is certain unless fewer than four whales per decade die from human causes. But the numbers keep slipping down. Do we give up? CSI has always supported a maximum effort to save this population, and we are as frustrated as anyone at the way things are going. Only one calf was known to be born this year, amplifying the latest research that suggests that this population is failing to reproduce, and causing speculation about the role of human pollution in this failure. One whale is known to have died this year from entanglement in fishing lines. Two whales were also known to have been killed last year, one from a ship strike, one from gill nets. A 20-year old male right whale, with a probably fatal entanglement from a lobster pot line, eluded the heroic efforts of the rescue team led by the Center for Coastal Studies in early March. The Center also takes a very active role in mitigations of the major threat, ship strikes. However, with 62% of surviving right whales bearing scars from nets and other fishing gear, part of the solution is to reduce entanglements. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) held a February workshop to determine ways commercial fishing might be modified without shutting down the industry. Fishing line that dissolved when it chafes into oily blubber, computer-activated buoys that surface when commanded, and neutrally buoyant lines linking pots and net anchors are among ideas yet to be tested. Perhaps you can invent gear that will save both whales and fishermen. Don't leave it up to the government.

NMFS is facing increasing criticism for not using $450,000 available to fund experiments with modified fishing gear. Over 3.8 million dollars was appropriated in October to save the North Atlantic right whales, and concerns are being raised that NMFS has fiddled around with how to spend it while whales die, and may try to use up to half this total for other purposes. NMFS's efforts to save this species include supporting the 1998 Large Whale Take Reduction Plan, whale disentanglement program, gear modifications and closures in critical habitat areas, a sighting program to notify large ships and fishermen of whales in their area, directed research on the right's biology and habits, developing technological solutions, and efforts to educate fishermen. But if it is not working it is not enough.

On 3 March the Conservation Law Foundation of Boston filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue NMFS under the Endangered Species Act, charging that the federal agency is failing to save the right whale from extinction. The lawsuit targets NMFS in its licensing of lobster pots and gill nets, both of which have entangled right whales. CLF's successful 1994 lawsuit charging the federal government with mismanaging fish stocks resulted in closures of large areas of the ocean to fishing and drastic cutbacks in fishing. No one really wants that to happen here, but the responsible agency is not acting fast enough, or creatively enough, and whales and men will suffer as a result. And of course, with NMFS approval and in right whale waters, the Navy just tested sonar gear implicated in other whale strandings (see related article on page 1).

Harassment

In February, 2nd Circuit District Court (Maui, Hawaii) Judge Shackley Raffetto held an arraignment and plea hearing for the Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), which was cited on 91 misdemeanor charges for allegedly conducting whale research in Hawaiian waters before a state permit was issued in February 1998. The federal government has also charged PWF with seven civil violations under the MMPA and Endangered Species Act. The Foundation pleaded not guilty, a hearing on the federal charges was scheduled for late March, and a trial will begin in May.

The underlying issue here is harassment of cetaceans, but as that often cannot be quantified, or even defined to fit every situation, rules are made to limit the potential for harassment. The underlying question here is when are even well-intentioned human activities focused on wild cetaceans excessive, and how can they be mitigated or moderated short of a long and humiliating legal process? If a situation results in legal action now it generally suggests a long history of complaints. Film makers, researchers, ecotourist operators, conservationists and people who just love whales and dolphins may justify their actions based on their belief that they care or know too much to ever do harm. There are countless examples of potential harassment passed over in research papers, and whole industries continuously press the envelope. Attempts to change participants' behavior are rejected with a righteous indignation.

CSI has funded several studies of human impacts because we all need to know our limits. The most recent was by Dr. Mark B. Orams, Massey University, New Zealand, on the sociological impacts of whale watching in Tonga, where the question is whether to watch them or to eat them. The general rule is that if you are a participant you cannot judge your impact; you are so deeply biased you will justify too much. Observers are also inadequate, either by being unable to tell what is really happening, or because they have automatic biases about what they think is happening. Very rarely the behavior of the cetacean gives a clue how they feel about it. Most often we must make a good guess. Speaking as one who has pressed the envelope without wanting to, or knowing it at the time, it begins and ends with self discipline. Should we allow ourselves to get that close? Why?

Modern Japan: a Whaling Culture?

The Japanese whaling fleet returned on 6 April with 439 minke whales slaughtered in the Antarctic, destined to be sold as food. The IWC loophole under which the Japanese have carried out this sham research whaling since the IWC's 1986 moratorium has produced a lot of meat and very little science.

Meanwhile, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Greenpeace released on 16 March the results of a survey of 1,185 Japanese adults on attitudes about whaling and whale meat consumption. The survey was conducted by Britain's leading opinion research company MORI, in partnership with the well-known Nippon Research Center in Japan. It indicated that, in contrast to their government's position, the people of Japan no longer consider whaling to be an integral part of their cultural heritage. About 55% of the Japanese public had no opinion or were neutral regarding commercial whaling, 14% opposed whaling outright, 11% supported commercial whaling, and 20% reported that the reason for killing whales would affect whether they supported whaling. In addition, about 61% had not eaten whale meat since childhood, if at all, and just 1% eat it as much as once a month.

The Japanese government most often cites cultural and traditional values as the main reason for hunting whales. In their report, MORI disproves this theory, showing that "the Japanese are largely neutral on the perceived importance to them personally of commercial whaling continuing: 24% say it is important, 25% say not - and half are undecided." Even more dramatically, the report finds that, "Virtually nobody fears Japan's cultural identity would suffer greatly were whaling to stop. Even among whaling's defenders, only one in twenty predict a 'great deal' of damage if it stopped, and four in ten (42%) say 'not very much' or 'not at all'." The Japanese delegation to the IWC is not expected to cite this report.

Captivity

"PARADISE IS HELL" was the slogan used in a successful campaign in early March, the first ever to close a Mexican dolphin facility. Under the leadership of Dr. Yolanda Alaniz Pasini, President of Conservaciûn de Mamìferos Marinos de Mèxico, the Paradise restaurant-bar in Acapulco that featured a bungee jump over a pool displaying two dolphins agreed to have the dolphins removed to a semi-captivity dolphinarium at X-caret, Cancun. Dr. Alaniz's group filed a lawsuit against Paradise in January, citing "extreme cruelty". Dr. Leonardo Ibarra, a dolphin veterinarian, agreed that the dolphins were in danger. Public opinion was growing against Paradise as well. A coalition of over 26 international organizations supported the Paradise campaign. Many other Mexican facilities exhibit dolphins inhumanely, as detailed in a report soon to be made public. CSI hopes that this is the beginning of significant changes in Mexico.

In early March, the London Times reported that Crimean authorities had completed the sale and transfer to Iran of 27 marine mammals (dolphins, beluga whales, walruses, and sea lions) trained by the former Soviet Navy. Cash-poor Russians even advertise sales on the Internet.

Also in early March, the U.S. Navy flew two female dolphins from San Diego, California, to Sitka, Alaska, for participation in the Northern Edge 2000 military exercise. CSI expressed concern for the cold water exposure of the dolphins, and continues to protest any military use of cetaceans.

On 3 March, Keiko took a major step toward his eventual freedom when he was released from his pen into the larger net-enclosed Klettsvik Bay in Iceland's Vestmannaeyjar Islands. Check the web site http://www.oceanfutures.org for the latest information on Keiko's progress.

A male bottlenose dolphin named Playboy died on 29 March at Duisburg Zoo, Germany, ostensibly of hepatitis. Just a few weeks earlier another male, Duphy, died at Duisburg, for a total dead at this one facility of at least 45 dolphins. Three Commerson's dolphins captured off Chile in the 1980's recently died and two others are sick with colitis at Sea World of Ohio. Do dolphins and whales generally live as long in captivity as in the wild? "Longer!", tout the display facility's public relations. But they do not, even with medical care, stable water and food, and even when free of hazards of the wild such as predation, storms, toxic pollution, and prey shortages. To visualize the death toll from dolphinariums, as these places are called in much of the world, "Walls of Death" have been created by activists with names and details written on small, colored, cutout figures of dolphins. The big displays of hundreds of names dramatically illustrate the staggering toll. But every wall is soon out of date, incomplete, and too large to be widely available. A coalition of international experts are creating a virtual Wall of Death, easily accessible and updated on a web site, that will bring the dramatic and tragic message to anyone who cares. CSI will announce the "EWall" web site as soon as it is available.

Oregon Zoo director Tony Vecchio made telling comments as he discussed the reasons for the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium being put on notice for probation with the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, a national nonprofit organization that accredits 184 zoos in North America, some of which display cetaceans. "Thousands of animal facilities are licensed by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), and thousands of them do not meet our standards." As a reminder, the last reauthorization battle for the Marine Mammal Protection Act included a successful lobby by the "Alliance", a coalition of display facilities led by Sea World, to force the control of captive dolphins from NMFS and give it to APHIS which, according to the Association, has inadequate standards. Port Defiance's many maintenance problems may lead to the probation, which is tabled for six months. Probation would forestall a Pierce County parks bill that would raise millions of tax dollars for the zoo. The real question is about the logic of using public subsidies to support failing entertainment facilities that exploit animals where insufficient public attendance demonstrates a lack of public interest.