News Releases

The Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation of Nootka Sound has failed in its stewardship of Luna (L-98) the killer whale. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has tried to provide proper care for Luna. But last summer, the band interfered in the stewardship displayed by the DFO, claiming the orca for their own. DFO, in an attempt to be sensitive to aboriginal relations, conceded stewardship of the whale to the native community that believes the orca to be a spiritual incarnation.

In forcing the DFO out of the picture, the Mowchalat Indians have thereby taken stewarship on their own shoulders. I keep up with the saddening tale of Luna. A few weeks ago, the TC reported that the Mowachaht/Muchalaht requires the DFO to put forward some $177,000 for an information booth and staff on the dock for the season. I take that season to be about 16 weeks long (the summer season). This works out to about $1,500 per day to watch out for Luna.

On July 22, the TC reported on a person whose boat was being "attacked" by Luna. This person called on DFO who referred them to the stewarship group. The stewardship group said they cannot help the boater because it requires the DFO to pay for a boat. I can only guess that a boat of this nature will cost in excess of $10,000.

The Mowachaht/Muchalaht took on a responsibility that they are not fit to undertake. Get them out of the picture. Orcas are not aboriginal humans, they are orcas. Let DFO do its job!

Travis Merriman,
Victoria.