Orcas or fishermen? Washington's crucial decision on net pen ban
Upcoming vote on net pen ban in WA
The Washington State Board of Natural Resources is taking a vote on Tuesday that could have serious ripple effect on the state's fishermen and the region's southern resident killer whales.
SEATTLE - On Tuesday, January 7, the Washington State Board of Natural Resources is set to vote on a critical decision that could have far-reaching impacts for both the state’s fishermen and the endangered southern resident killer whales.
The board will decide whether to uphold an executive order passed in 2022 by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Hilary Franz that bans commercial net pens in public waters. This move has been hailed by conservationists as a significant victory in the fight to protect local wildlife and ecosystems.
Orca Conservancy, a local advocacy group, has long supported the ban, citing concerns over pollution, algae blooms, and the depletion of salmon, the sole food source for Puget Sound’s endangered orcas.
Saving our WA southern resident orcas
The Orca Conservancy is asking the public to help them take action to save our southern resident orcas after another calf has died.
Tamara Kelley, Director of Development for Orca Conservancy argues these nets can spread disease. She cites a 2018 incident in which a large number of farmed fish escaped into the wild. According to Kelley, these fish often carry sea lice and various ailments which can be harmful to wild fish populations. The spread of these diseases could further endanger the already vulnerable orca population that rely on healthy salmon to survive.
"The southern resident killer whales are such a vulnerable population, and they're dependent on salmon, and many of the salmon stocks are also threatened and endangered," said Kelley. "So having these net pens just adds another nail into the coffin for both salmon and orcas."
The plight of the southern resident orcas has become an emotional issue for many, especially after a video surfaced of the orca known as Tahlequah, or J-35, pushing her dead calf through the waters of Washington state. Since then, Kelley says, people have been grieving alongside the whales and using the moment to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the orcas' environment.
"It's really hard. This is the reality but we need to do something to help, and this is the opportunity, because we always say these whales are on the brink of extinction, but they're not past the point of no return," Kelley said.
Orca Tahlequah seen pushing second dead calf in WA waters
Southern resident orca Tahlequah is suffering the loss of yet another calf. Here's where she and her deceased calf have been spotted.
However, the commercial fishing industry has voiced strong opposition to the ban, arguing that it could decimate their livelihood. Fishermen contend that the ban could push them out of business and force them to shift to land-based fish farming. They also assert that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that removing net pens will save wild salmon populations or benefit the orcas.
Public comments on the issue must be submitted by Monday, January 6, as the board prepares to make its final decision.
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