New Orca Exclusion Area

[LeslieTroyer]

Have you heard about the new voluntary Vessel Exclusion area for Orca’s?? Up the west coast of San Juan Island from Cattle Pt to Mitchell Bay 1/4 to 1/2 mile off shore???

https://www.nwyachting.com/2018/06/voluntary-orca-protection-zone-posted/

https://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/orca/

 

[kloudie1]

Prolly not going to be popular with the whale watching excursion boats!
although most of the ones I spotted from the west coast of San Juan were more than 1/2 mile offshore.

 

[jssailem]

Having sailed and motored through that area, during the tidal changes there is tremendous up-welling of the water. Can see how that are might be attractive for the Orca. It will mean you'll have to cruise further off shore, like did.

 

[steve stark]

Been sitting at Patos for several days watching the pod move between Plumper Sound and Strait of Georgia daily. Always followed by the FWHF, including the requisite "watcher-watcher" boat. They are much more disruptive than Starbright, as we drift silently behind them. My proposal is to require motors cut at first sighting, until the pod is 1 mile downrange, then leave perpendicular to track.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

It will mean you'll have to cruise further off shore, like did.

Current is often much more favorable inshore. Back eddies in many cases.

Les

 

[Michael Davis]

Not a bad idea,IMHO. You often get a better view from shore than you can (legally) from a boat. These taken from East Point, Saturna Island.