News Releases

Washington Senator Maria Cantwell today announced a bilateral cooperation between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Washington Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Senator Cantwell’s office.

Senator Cantwell has immediately made funds available up to $100,000 to translocate Luna. Luna (L98) is an orca that has been living in Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island for almost two years. This four year old whale was separated from his pod and has been relying on humans and boats for company.

Within two weeks the US Senate will approve $1.5 million for a marine conservation orca recovery funds. This money will partly by used for Luna.

By relocating Luna scientists can learn about more about orca behavior and how to move orcas if a situation similar to Luna’s happens again.

NOAA and Fisheries and Wildlife would like to co-partner with DFO, and move Luna closer to his pod with hopes of reuniting him.

A co-partner proposal was given to DFO on Thursday morning and it was expected that DFO would respond by Friday. It is now expected that DFO will respond on Monday morning. The proposal was sent to DFO Minister Robert Thibault’s office. US officials hope that the Canadian government will co-operate bilaterally with the US to allow Luna to have a chance to return to his pod.

Last year, US officials put up money to help move Springer and are willing to do it again with Luna.

The US Navy will lend its support if asked. This support could include help with tagging and monitoring Luna. They also said that they could monitor the entire L-pod throughout the winter to help scientists gain a better understanding of where the L-Pod travels. The Navy will make use of Trident submarines if required.

“The fact that the Navy wants to be seen as part of the effort to reverse the decline of Puget Sound orca is most encouraging,” Said Michael Harris, President of Orca Conservancy. “With maritime capabilities, including eight of the world’s 18 Trident submarines, the Navy should be able to help give L-98 a chance to reunite with his family, and track the L Podgo in the winter. This is most appropriate, given the Navy’s wide range of impacts on orca habitats”

“Orca Consevacny calls on the DFO to reconvene their technical advisors group ASAP/immediately to expedite the introduction plans given the new resources presented by NOAA, the US Navy and Senator Cantwell.

In the past two days, Dr. Paul Spong and Helena Symonds of OrcaLab, Richard Osborne from The Whale Museum and Howard Garret and Susan Berta from Orca Network all called on DFO to move Luna now.

DFO did not return calls or emails asking for comment.