San Juan County Strengthens Orca
Protection Laws

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
FRIDAY HARBOR, WASHINGTON - San Juan County leaders have followed through on plans to put some teeth behind orca protection rules.

The county officially adopted a new ordinance last night which makes it a crime to feed killer whales or "knowingly" approach within 100 yards of a killer whale within San Juan County.

Tour boat operators currently operate under those rules and state and federal law enforcement agents use the rules as guidelines, but until now there was no official ordinance in the books.

County officials say the ordinance will only last until the federal government creates its own rules for protection of Southern Resident Orcas, which were recently listed as an endangered species.

"These animals need protection now," said council member Kevin Ranker in a news release. "We need to look out for them so these magnificent animals will be with us in the future."

Fines for violating the new ordinance are not to exceed $750.

The county is also considering an increase in the budget for enforcement of the new ordinance, which goes into law immediately.

Source: KING5 News