Natives Want $176,000 To Watch Luna

Wednesday, April 20, 2005
GOLD RIVER, BC - The native band looking after Luna wants the federal government to pay it $176,000 this year to help keep the wayward orca safe from boaters.

The Mowachaht/Muchalaht of Gold River were paid $10,000 last year by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as part of a stewardship program to monitor Luna after the band thwarted efforts to capture him and reunite him with his L pod.

The band believes the orca is the embodiment of the spirit of dead chief Ambrose Maquinna and wants the whale left where it is until after a ceremonial potlatch is held this November. It also believes Luna, known to scientists as L 98, should be allowed a natural reunification with its family.

Meanwhile, the band wants a large increase in federal funds, enough for six salaries, to help keep the five-year-old orca apart from summer boat traffic in Nootka Sound.

"The reason the money is so high is that we're going to employ more people to express to the public that the whale is out there," said Jamie James, the band's fisheries manager. "We would like to employ two full patrol groups, both on the water and on land, to help promote public awareness. We're working on a full-blown program right now."

He said the money would cover salaries, education pamphlets, equipment and patrolling costs.

"The majority of the money is to go into public awareness," said James.

James said the salaries would encompass four people on the water, split into two shifts covering 16 hours a day rather than the eight-to-10-hour coverage provided last year. There will also be two people on land for education.

James said the $10,000 given last year covered monitoring between August and the end of October.

The $176,000 would cover five months between the May 23 long weekend and the end of October.

Lara Sloan of DFO said the department plans to meet with the band soon to discuss the future of the orca. Sloan said the $176,000 figure "is within the options that have been discussed, but we haven't met yet to solidify any of those options."

Sara MacIntyre of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said spending on Luna was out of control.

"I don't think this is something taxpayers should be shelling out money for," said the B.C. director.

"What exactly do they mean by public awareness? . . . What are taxpayers getting out of this?"

Fred Felleman of U.S.-based Orca Conservatory said it would be cynical to think the band was "trying to milk the cow" with its financial request.

U.S. groups had raised $100,000 US to back the thwarted reunification and the future monitoring of Luna. "Because they did obstruct the move last time, I think they've taken on a responsibility," said Felleman. "They've shouldered this as a burden."

Felleman said that while there may be some resentment at the band's actions among some U.S. orca lovers, he believed the lack of prior consultation between the two governments and the band on the proposed move makes the band's response understandable.

"I can't fault them for wanting to assert themselves, and I applaud the fact that they want to continue this effort."

Source: The Vancouver Province

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