Episode 8: The Impacts of Naval Activities on Animals with Bob Wilbur

Free Willy. SeaWorld and Blackfish. Whale watching tours. People simply love orca whales. Unfortunately, this beloved species and many more are being harmed by the Navy’s Growler jet program and Naval activities in the waters of Northwest Washington. Guest Bob Wilbur (he/him), the president of the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER), tells us about how animals are impacted by these activities, and how the impacts are being downplayed and overlooked by the Navy. He also shares about COER’s efforts to protect the endangered Southern Resident orca whale and marbled murrelet seabird.  Listen to learn how animals also fall victim to the Growler jets and how you can be part of the efforts to protect them.

 

Resources:

Learn more about the Growler jets and how to take action at: www.SoundDefenseAlliance.org

Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve (COER)

Learn more about the Marbled Murellet

 

Glossary Terms:

Endangered species - A species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction.

Threatened species - A plant or animal species perceived as likely, in the near future, to become endangered within all or much of its range.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - A government document that outlines the impact of a proposed project on its surrounding environment. In the United States, these statements are mandated by federal law for certain projects.

Take - To harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.

Minimum Viable Population Size - Ecological threshold that specifies the smallest number of individuals in a species or population capable of persisting at a specific statistical probability level for a predetermined amount of time.

National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) - An act signed into law on January 1, 1970 that requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions.

 

Nature sounds recorded in the Olympic National Park (Gordon Hempton, The Sound Tracker, Co-Founder Quiet Parks International)

Hosted by Terra Huey and Caitlin Epstein

Produced by Caitlin Epstein in partnership with the Sound Defense Alliance