Let the flames begin! Today's paper contained yet another study by marine scientists saying that we are killing the orcas with love. The packs of boats that follow the pods disrupt their rest periods and their feeding, according to the experts. But...it's a ten million dollar business in Washington and a ninety million dollar business in Victoria, so I guess we will continue to have whale watching expeditions until there are no more whales to watch.

Thank you for discouraging this ridiculous obsession and intrusion on whales in their natural habitat.

FWIW, your post made an impression on me. We did a whale watch from Bar Harbor a few years ago. Enjoyed it very much. But after reading your post, I can't see myself doing it again. It's logical that the cruises would be disruptive. But I'm ashamed to say that, until I read your post, I didn't ever think about it.

After reading one of yesterday's threads, I feel compelled to correct that it's. Should be its

CAPH, I think you were right the first time!

You're right, AustinTraveler. Another senior moment causing me to confuse the rule!

Sorry to highjack the thread. From now on, I'll resist the urge to make corrections!

Back to an important, serious topic...

I'm more worried about the people who want to "experience the fun" of swimming with dolphins.

First - most seem to have no idea how dangerous these animals can be. (They are large animals with great big teeth that eat fish - not plankton. Additionally some of the males are "attracted" to human women and can apparently be difficult to manage.)

Second - it is proven to significantly decrease the life span of the animals.

So let's have lots of fun "experiencing" swimming with animals in order to kill them and endanger ourselves and our children. (I remember one post in which a parent asked about the swimming experience for a small child. And how does the dolphin know this isn't lunch?)

Bobmrg - Did your newspaper say anything about the increase awareness of animal habitat and conservations that's been brought about by people actually visiting and seeing the whales?

If people can't see, they may stop caring, and so goes the political and monetary support for conservations. It's a double-edged sword.

Is there any way to view the whales without negatively impacting them?

I have been interested in whale watching, and nature in general...so if watching them gives them the creeps, then I won't.

Is there any other way to see them, besides those mean circus like water parks?

It is not a free-for-all out there. There are guidelines for observing the whales that were designed to protect them as much as possible. Federal law prohibits going closer than 100 yards of the whales, and there are other guidelines:

http://www.nwwhalewatchers.org/guidelines.html

This is not to say that there isn't room for improvement, but rkkwan is right. I bet some of the strongest supporters of the whales are people who have seen them.

As far as dolphins go, I have to admit, I would definately like to swim with them.

Dealing with animals in general is a complex thing...we can rant and rave about how we are harming and oppressing whales and dolphins, forcing them into human servitude....but what about the birds we keep? the fish we have in our aquariums? even our little pet fido or are little but mean cats named Fluffy?

I am sure you have all caught that look in your pet's eyes.....especially when you are going to sleep or just waking up....when they are either gazing at you from close up, or somewhere where they could possibly pounce....they look like they are plotting, aren't they? They look like they are scheming...wondering if they would be able to get the house keys and your car keys....and how long it would be, and how far they could get before anyone found your partially eaten remains.....

bwwwwaaaahhhhhaaaa


sorry, I could resist. I have a very cute, but very mean 18lb cat who sometimes looks as if he is plotting to snuff me out in my sleep.....

The difference is that dogs, cats and other pets have been domesticated for thousands of years. To swim with dolphins at one of those "dolphin encounter" programs, or to see dolpins and whales perform at Sea World type facilities, they are captured out of the wild. Keep your eyes out for the PBS "Nature" program about dolphins-they show a capture in Central America (where poor nations allow their capture for $$). It is absolutely heartbreaking.

I watch pbs all of the time...and though we have "domesticated" the animals, I still am not sure that fluffy really likes it when I play my music, or come home late.....

Dolphins are cute, though.......

The article suggests that people who want to whale watch do so by riding the Washington State ferries, the BC ferries, or the Victoria Clipper. These vessels travel through the whale watching area but do not stop and maneuver as the whale watching boats do.

The "we are learning more about them" argument fails when you consider that disturbing their feeding patterns is far, far more important than what "we" learn. There are professionals studying these beautiful creatures full time...without distracting them.