Re: [Paddlewise] whales and kayaks

> From: "roger mcnellie" <mcnellie_at_lycos.com>

> I had a related experience to the concept of 'is ethics situational' 
> and how this subject can get out of hand quickly this past year.

<snip>

> It of course offended everyone that we, the pinnacle of 'greeness' 
> could be so accused, and a pretty nasty argument ensued, both the 
> group and this 'envioro nazi' (as we liked to refer to her) argued 
> about how green each other was. 

I don't understand.  Your group liked to refer to her as the "enviro 
nazi" because she had the same concerns about biodegradeable soap as
you?  Or because she and your group participated in an argument about
greeness... (who was greener)?

> I will admit that given the choice of getting closer to whales or not, 
> I would have a hard time resisting, even to the point of paying fines 
> or going to jail. It seems so incredible to be so close to such an animal.  
 
Do the reasons and purpose behind the fines and jail time interest you
(not just the fact that there is a risk of being fined or jailed)? 

At any rate, I think it's possible to paddle among/near whales without
breaking any laws and remaining within the guidelines.  The URLs given 
earlier provide some pretty clear descriptions about what harassment is 
with regard to MMPA.  The guidelines sound pretty reasonable to me
for both whales and humans (though, no doubt, there are probably those
that think they do not go far enough and obviously there are those that
think they go too far).

Jackie

 
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