Top Island Econauts Dive Club / Events

Helping the Whales

Compiled by Jackie Hildering, Last updated: July 25th, 2007

The following is intended to provide direction in what we all can do reduce stresses to whales as they are serving as ambassadors of the state of marine ecosystems. We are all connected to these astounding animals and impact their welfare no matter how far we may live from an ocean. Every little bit of positive action helps. ____________________________________________________________________________
Inspiration (Wonder Water Web): Short motivational video on the importance of the ocean

Click here for a summary of simple actions to reduce chemicals in the environment.

*Seven more in depth ACTION points follow below.

1. Become informed about the stresses that whales endure and share this knowledge

a. Overview:

Winter 2007 Whaling information (Japan adds 50 humpbacks to the slaughter)
The draft national recovery plans for resident and transient killer whales provide excellent detail regarding the threats to killer whales
Threats to whales - summative article "Whale Saving Starts at Home" May 2007.
Orcas on the Edge - summative article by National Wildlife Federation
For Whale's Sake - past columns dedicated to impacts on whales

Toxins:

Information on the September 20th, 2007 diesel spill in Robson Bight
Great News! (April 3rd, 2007) Washington is the first American state to ban all forms of brominated fire retardants!
Suzuki Foundation's response to Environment Canada's PBDE management proposal; includes a report by Dr. Peter Ross and updates on what other countries are doing with regard to PBDEs Fireproof Whales and Contaminated Mother’s Milk: The Inadequacy of Canada’s Proposed PBDE Regulations
Environment Canada's proposed risk management strategy for PBDEs; includes an overview of what other nations' initiatives against PBDEs.
Dr. Peter Ross’ initial research on bioaccumulation in killer whales (scientific paper)
Dr. Peter Ross' "Fireproof Killer Whales" which focuses on the toxicity, bioaccumulation and persistence of brominated fire retardants (scientific paper).
Dec 2006 - Update on new EU chemical legislation REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals)
Background on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants aimed at banning the "Dirty Dozen" (12 historical bioaccumulative chemicals - May 17th 2004 bulletin).
Information on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from the JapanOffspring Fund. Includes a presentation from Jackie Hildering
Oceana’s report on POPs in marine life
David Suzuki Foundation report revealing the woeful inadequacy of Canada's pesticide regulations
Background information on brominated fire retardants (PBDEs), the new Persistent Organic Pollutant.

From the European Health Alliance
Oceana’s PBDE fact sheet
Essay by Stubbs Island Whale Watching naturalist Sarah Richardson
From the Environmental Working Group (USA ) – extensive report on toxins in the environment
From Our Stolen Future
Answers to frequently asked questions about PBDEs

c. Whaling, Culling and Captivity:

Reports from the OrcaLab on the last International Whaling Commision meeting (2007)
Petitions against the barbarity of whaling Whales Revenge ; International Fund for Animal Welfare and Echoes in the Blue (anti-whaling petition by the author who has put his marine biologist perspective on whaling into print in the book "Echoes in the Blue." )
Dolphin drive hunts background information
Petition against Dolphin Drive Hunts still conducted in Japan.
Petition against Canada's harp seal cull from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (March 2007). Fisheries and Ocean's Canada countering of "myths" re. the seal hunt.
Anti-whaling campaign by the Environmental Investigation Agency
Greenpeace’s anti-whaling campaign
An explanation of the arguments used by pro-whaling nations about why whaling should be "okay." Apparently, whales are "agents of mass digestion." A perspective by Dr. Jonathon Stern. (May 2007)
Whaling "Completely unnecessary and irredeemably cruel" (Georgina Davis WDCS, Nov 2006) see article
History and current issues in whaling from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Captivity issues from the WDCS
International Whaling Commission’s webpage
Inventory of orca in captivity with life spans of the animals; goes up to recent incidents such as the Ultrish aquarium catch (2003).
The Lien report (1999) - review of live-capture and captivity in Canada

d. Sonar and general noise issues

Aug 2007 - National Resource Defense Council's press release on US court decision re. the use of military sonar. Backgrounder.
Seaflow
USA Humane Society's Sonar Page
Potential impact of sound on cetacean hearing - see lesson 4 in lesson plan by Anna Hall and Jackie Hildering
Center for Whale Research's information on strandings linked to sonar

e. Marine debris

NOAA presentation on the impacts of marine debris aiming at the Gulf of Mexico but information applies to all oceans

Poster How long it takes materials to break down in the ocean

f. Latest reports on issues facing whales / oceans:

From the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
From the American Cetacean Society
From Oceana
From the David Suzuki Foundation

2. Reduce consumption of the world’s resources. Become aware of your ecological footprint and work to reduce it. Don’t buy into the consumerism paradigm.

On-line ecological footprint calculators:
1. “Redefining Progress” - available in many languages and provides a comparison of your result for other members of your country.
2. Canadian organization "Ecovoyageurs"
3. "Conservation International"
Summary table of positive actions from Jackie Hildering
Guide to going green - detailed information about how to reduce your impact on the planet
Top 10 things to make a difference from Conservation International
Article highlighting how easy it is to make a positive difference
Make sustainable consumer choices regarding seafood.
FLICK OFF Global Warming. Environmental Defence, with Virgin Mobile Canada, Roots Canada, MuchMusic and the Government of Ontario, is asking Canadians to FLICK OFF global warming. Find out how to reduce your impact.
"What you can do” from Environment Canada – lists actions specifically for community, home and school
Recycle more! It does make a difference! See the information put together by Stubbs Island Whale Watching naturalist, Leah Thorpe the Waste On-Line Resource , the On-line recycling guide , British Columbia's Recycling Hotline and Materials Exchange and the Eco-BC webpage with lists of the recycling centres nearest you. See also the brochures addressing specific recycling issues e.g. gardening; recycling in schools, etc. from the North Shore Recycling Programme.
What do to with old electronics? Don't put them in the landfill!!!! See the recycling links above and the Electronics Product Stewardship webpage for recycling options
Ocean Alliance’s 10 things you can do to save the ocean
As a company or community, follow the approach of “The Natural Step” - A non-profit environmental education organization working to build an ecologically and economically sustainable society
Take David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge
Buy from companies with sound social and environmental practices. Note that the following list is of course not inclusive: Eco-business directory; Mountain Equipment Co-op; Patagonia. Companies dedicated to ensuring PBDEs are not in their products: ; Patagonia; Hewlett-Packard, Apple, IBM, Toshiba, Fujitsu Siemens, Motorola, Intel, Panasonic/Matsushita, Sony, Dell, Phillips, Ericsson, Canon; Ikea, Berkeley Mills, Volvo.

3. Use non-toxic; biodegradable; “earth-friendly” products. The following links provide insights and alternatives

Non-toxic home care from Earth Easy
Simple, effective, and safe recipes for non-toxic household cleaning products
Georgia Strait Alliance’s Toxic Smart guide with assessment and alternatives for cleaning products, pesticides and so much more
Article on the “Body Burden”; chemical loads in our bodies. See “What Can I Do?”
List of alternatives to PBDEs and some companies who use these alternatives
Take a tour of the “toxic-free home” and become aware of problems and alternatives
Be aware of what household products contain toxins
World Wildlife Federation’s advices for reducing toxic chemicals; includes recipes for cleaners
Join the American Cetacean’s Whale Friendly Lawn Campaign
North American Pesticide Action Network; gives advice on non-toxic pesticides
North America ’s databank of environmentally sound products and services
British Columbia’s Recycling Hotline and Materials Exchange - provides assessment of chemicals and alternatives. Scroll to the bottom of this webpage.
A full household range of environmentally safe products; great page on “making a difference” too.

4. Live by the precautionary principle/approach using your power as a consumer and voter to ensure that we find out first if practices are dangerous to the environment before we proceed with them.

The Precautionary Principle as determined by the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 (see Principle 15)
Commonwealth - description of the precautionary principle
Science and Environmental Health Network's resource page on the precautionary principle

5. Undertake direct action to ensure that the bioaccumulative Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are no longer used nor created. Ensure that governments take on a “cradle to grave” approach to chemicals; that new chemicals must be tested and that manufactures have responsibility for the full life cycle of the chemicals. Note that this is currently not a policy of the US “Environmental Protection Agency”.

Canadians, sign the Labour Environmental Alliance Society's petition.
Write a letter to your member of parliament and/or Ministers of Environment, Health, or Industry or (CANADA) local representative ( USA ).

6. Support research, conservation and undertake action to stop the barbarity of whaling

Examples:

Support research by donating to the Wild Killer Whale Adoption Programme

Support the National Resource Defense Council

7. Educate
(lesson plans by J. Hildering)

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