JOINT RESOLUTION PASSED BY CALILFORNIA ASSEMBLY AND SENATE IN SEPTEMBER

Whereas, Each year, the California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus of the Eastern North Pacific stock) migrates along the California coast to feeding grounds in the Arctic, a journey of 8,500 to 11,000 miles; and

Whereas, The California gray whale is important for public education, recreational value, aesthetic appeal, economic significance, and scientific interest to the people of California; and

Whereas, Whale watching contributes to local economies in direct revenues and in the overall economic well-being of coastal communities, including the creation of jobs; and

Whereas, Whale watching generates tens of millions of dollars in California annually; and

Whereas, The California gray whale migrates past one of the most heavily industrialized coastlines in the world, exposing the California gray whale to marine pollution, marine vessel traffic, industrial noise, activities associated with the development of the outer continental shelf resources, fishing entanglements, bottom trawling, industrial development, and military and nonmilitary sonar activity; and

Whereas, Marine mammals, including the California gray whale, are vulnerable to underwater sound, including high-intensity mid frequency sonar systems used off the California coast; and

Whereas, These sonar systems blast across large areas with levels of underwater noise loud enough to have resulted in deaths of marine mammals in incidents around the world; and

Whereas, The significant threats posed by global warming, melting sea ice, and the impact of increased sea water temperature in the Arctic feeding grounds of the California gray whale have very serious implications for the species; and

Whereas, The federal government placed the gray whale on the endangered and threatened species list in 1970 when its estimated population was approximately 12,000 and removed it in 1994 when the population rose to 23,000; and

Whereas, Prewhaling population estimates used as a factor in determining species recovered status of the gray whale are now known to be erroneous and account only for a fraction of actual historical populations; and

Whereas, A major collapse in 1999 and 2000 is estimated to have wiped out one-third to almost one-half of the population; and

Whereas, There has been no proper population estimate published by the National Marine Fisheries Service since 2001; and

Whereas, There is no habitat protection for the Pacific Coast Feeding Aggregation in California, Oregon, or Washington State; and

Whereas, There are inconsistencies in the protection states give to gray whales; and

Whereas, Oregon lists the gray whale as endangered; and

Whereas, Washington lists the gray whale as sensitive; and

Whereas, California , by law, defers to the federal government and lists the gray whale as recovered; now,

therefore, be it Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully requests the United States Congress and the President of the United States to call upon the National Marine Fisheries Service to undertake an immediate and comprehensive assessment of the California gray whale. This assessment should include all current research covering the migration routes, population dynamics, and mortality of the California gray whale, and the impacts of threats to the California gray whale, including the impact of global warming on critical feeding grounds;

and be it further Resolved, That the National Marine Fisheries Service publish, and make available to the public, the results of the comprehensive assessment of the California gray whale;

and be it further Resolved, That, if the results of the comprehensive assessment or the body of scientific evidence warrants it, the National Marine Fisheries Service is requested to change the status of the gray whale to endangered;

and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the National Marine Fisheries Service , the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.

The CALIFORNIA GRAY WHALE COALITION is dedicated to protecting the most ancient Baleen Whale on Planet Earth.

SIGN THE PETITION

"I request that the new US Congress take all necessary steps to fund a comprehensive review of all the major threats facing the California Gray Whale."

"A growing number of Gray Whales in the sub Arctic waters are contaminated. As bottom feeders, these whales are vulnerable to toxic pollution.  Recent data from our worldwide sampling of sperm whale blubber - The Voyage of the Odyssey - show that many whales are polluted to levels that make their meat unsafe for human consumption-a sufficient cause to discontinue whaling."

DR ROGER PAYNE

"The California Gray Whale is an indicator species of the sub Arctic and Arctic Oceans.   With major changes taking place in the polar marine ecosystems, ensuring ongoing research into the major threats facing these majestic whales is critical.  In the light of these changes, Gray Whales deserve the highest legal protection."

DR SLVIA EARLE




"Gray whales face many pressures, such as lack of food, coastal development and increasing ocean noise.  They need better protection."

JEAN-MICHEL COUSTEAU

"And God created the great whales
there in Laguna San Ignacio"

HOMERO ARIDJIS

"the possibility that we might drive these magnificent creatures into extinction is unimaginable and unacceptable."

DARYL HANNAH

"Life began in the sea.  So goes the whale...so goes mankind.  An effort to save the whales benefits us all."

BEAU BRIDGES

"Thanks for leading the fight to save
the Gray Whales"

ED BEGLEY JNR




"The Gray Whale is the marine mammal symbol of California.  It deserves to be protected and honored.  I support the creation of a "Whale of a Day" tribute to this magnificent animal."

PRINCE FREDERIC VON ANHALT

"The Gray Whale faces a myriad of threats from climate change to sonar testing and oil exploration. They need our help and the California Gray Whale Coalition is a leading advocate for this important keystone species."

PEDRO NAVA

"When we fully understand and begin to meet the threats to the California Gray Whale, we will be addressing the problems that face North America's entire Pacific coastal ecosystem."

LYNN WOOLSEY

"Saving the Gray Whales from extinction is an absolute must.  This magnificent, intelligent species cannot be allowed to perish from this earth.  If we ignore their plight we ignore the eventual impact on all species, including our own, of the rapacious practices of mankind."

SARA WAN

"Gray whales need our immediate attention! Due to climate change, their Arctic food supply is diminishing and the numbers of mother-calf pairs on the long migration are the lowest in years."

DICK RUSSELL

Grateful thanks to Baja Eco Tours for these images.