Reintroduction Plan Finalized by DFO for Luna

Friday, October 3, 2003
VANCOUVER, BC - The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), announced today that the department is ready to move forward with the relocation of the young killer whale known as L98 or Luna. To protect public safety, the one tonne mammal will be moved from Nootka Sound to Juan de Fuca Strait on the west coast of Vancouver Island with the hope of giving this whale the opportunity to re-unite with its pod.

DFO will now accept scientific licence applications from groups that can demonstrate the financial capacity and expertise to carry out a reintroduction program. A scientific licence will be issued to the group that submits a proposal that can satisfy all of the requirements outlined by DFO, based on advice from the scientific panel. The role of the third party will include translocation, monitoring and stewardship, and implementation of the contingency plan if re-introduction fails.

“We are pleased to announce that details of the reintroduction plan have been finalized and we are moving forward in the interest of public safety,” said Minister Thibault. “L98’s increasing interactions with people and boats are putting the public and the whale at risk. Leaving him in Nootka Sound is no longer an option. Our goal is to do what is best for Luna and his pod, while protecting the public.”

A panel of Canadian and US scientific experts have assessed various options to deal with this situation. It has advised DFO that L98 may cease his interactions with boats and people if given the opportunity to reunite with his pod. The Panel has acknowledged that the probability of success is unknown. Contingency plans for the capture and captive placement, or other permanent means of dealing with L98, must be developed to protect the public if reunification fails and the whale becomes a threat to public safety in this new location.

Because of last year’s successful reunification of Springer with her pod, DFO is optimistic that Luna will also reunite with his group, the Southern Resident L-pod. However, the department explained that L98’s situation is quite different from that of Springer, and pointed out he may not reunite successfully.

DFO has had many letters and emails from organizations and the public indicating their willingness to support this endeavour. That support will be essential in ensuring a plan is carried out.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will monitor this operation to ensure the best possible care for Luna, and that the Southern Resident killer whale population and the public are not put at risk. DFO will provide support to this operation in terms of scientific expertise and enforcement where needed.

L98 is a solitary killer whale that has been frequenting the waters of Nootka Sound, at the mouth of the Gold River, since the spring of 2001. The four-year-old whale is a member of the southern resident L-pod, and its mother is known to be alive.

A DFO website has been established to provide the public with updates on L98 and the planning process for relocation.

For More Information:

Luna News from Activists -- www.reuniteluna.com
Fisheries Canada Luna Page -- www-comm.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/pages/MarineMammals/l98_e.htm
National Marine Fisheries Service -- www.nwr.noaa.gov