Hi all,

I wanted to give you some updates on the situation in Gold River, Luna, and the stewardship crew. I'll be in Gold River Tuesday to do another training session with community volunteers and new crew members.

We received word on Friday (Aug 1) from DFO that, indeed, our funding is going to continue until Sept 8th. At this point we have two crew members up there on a daily basis.

The situation is getting increasingly tense. Many people are irritated that a decision on what to do with Luna has taken so long. Although the majority of onlookers are compliant and want to do what's best for Luna, a handful still refuse to refrain from interacting with him. The lower dock has been deemed unsafe for the large crowds that congregate when Luna is around and only people loading or unloading boats are allowed down on it-this has frustrated some people. Our crew has become the target of some of this discontent. We have decided that it is in the best interest of our crew to take a deliberate step back-we aren't enforcement officers. We are up there only to observe, record, and report infractions, as well as to provide information regarding Luna and his family.

I do think that a stewardship project such as this can only be effective for a short period until indecision on what to do with Luna makes it a joke. He's a serious pest to many people who use the docks regularly. People aren't as inclined to listen after the only fine that has been handed out was for $100.

There are crews of two summer students working with us now from the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation. They are stationed at the boat launch not far from the dock and come over throughout the day to help with large crowds and such. It's great to have them there, and their concern for the welfare of the stranded Kakawiin (Killer Whale) is encouraging. I've attached to this email an article that they recently gave to me to make a pamphlet from. (text pasted in below - sb)

Luna continues to pace around the dock, rubbing on boats and interacting with ones out on the water. He's getting big now, and there have been several incidents when people were frightened by his "playing". Recently, Luna was tangled in a fishing net with his blow-hole trapped just below the water surface. In a moment of panic, an axe was found and the net cut. There is concern over the salmon fishing season as well.

There are upwards of 200 people a day down at the docks and a slow day there are approx. 60-70 people.

We can't help but continue to feel increasing concern over Luna's well being. There is at least one new incident that compromises his safety every week. Gold River residents have informed us that August is their busiest month, and we expect the number of incidents to rise substantially.

K'ari Fisher
Program Manager
Luna Stewardship
fisher@volws.bc.ca

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In the U.S.:
The Whale Museum/Luna Stewardship Project
PO Box 945
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
or call:
1-800-946-7227, ext. 24 or ext. 28
www.whalemuseum.org