By Admin. Updated 10:02 a.m., Sunday, September 15, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Vincentians have expressed mixed views on the catching of an Orca (a killer whale) in Barrouallie last night (September 14).
An Orca, a mammal, is the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins, despite the name “Killer Whale,” according to the NOAA Fisheries.
Barrouallie is known for its whaling and fishing activities, and though it is not the first time an orca (killer whale) was caught in the Central Leeward town, some people have expressed concerns about the move.
Under our Facebook post about the capture, someone under a Facebook profile named Godchild Pompey commented, “This is so wrong there should be law put in place to protect these animals I don’t like this one bit”.
Another – China Emery commented, “Saw the pic first and thought… aww they’re saving the whale. Then I read it’s svg and felt sorry for it.”
Someone under a Facebook profile named Lesroy Sutherland said: “The ongoing capture of orcas in Vincy in the year 2024 raises concerns regarding the preservation of marine biodiversity and the wellbeing of these magnificent creatures. While acknowledging the reliance of fishermen on fishing for their livelihood, it is imperative to emphasize that the capture of orcas is unacceptable and should be prohibited. Implementing a ban on the capture of all such species is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems and prevent further harm to these non-aggressive, non consumable animals”.
Others, however, have welcomed the move as whaling is a key source of income for people in the area and a key source of protein.
Someone under a Facebook profile named Ben Franics said: “And I believe this article was meant to be controversial. You need to stop it and let people live”.
Someone under a Facebook profile named Laura Lamar said: “I would love to taste it. I know it will feed so many mouths and help others with deficiencies. Congratulations to the hunters”.
Someone under a Facebook profile named Natureboy Geoffrey Wallace said: “The indigenous people had sustainable hunting and fishing methods long before European interlopers arrived on their shores”.
Some fishermen say that orcas also ravage Pilot Whales, known as Blackfish, the main source of seafood protein consumed in Barrouallie.
Whaling, though part of the Vincentian tradition is thought to be a controversial practice in some circles. Some people eschew the practice all together while some express concerns about the high mercury content of the whale meat.
According to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has a quota of four whales per year, referring to Humpback Whales under the IWC’s Aboriginal Subsistence catch limits currently in effect.
The International Whaling Commission said on its website that for “Humpback whales taken by St Vincent and The Grenadines, for the years 2019-2025, the total number of humpback whales taken shall not exceed 28”.
The quota of four whales per year, however, only been reached once since the limits took effect.
“This quota was reached only once since it was introduced (2013),” the International Whaling Commission said in its website.
Whales, including humpbacks are also caught in Bequia, a northern Grenadine island that is part of the island chain that makes up St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
iWitness News reported in April 2017, that the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines said, it would “pass laws to outlaw the killing of orcas after fishermen killed two of the marine mammals in the presence of a whale-watching group” during that year.
The move had sparked discussion on social media about the practice of catching Orcas.
To date, no law has been passed.
Here is some information about Orcas from the NOAA Fisheries:
The killer whale, also known as orca, is the ocean’s top predator. It is the largest member of the Delphinidae family, or dolphins. Members of this family include all dolphin species, as well as other larger species, such as long-finned pilot whales and short-finned pilot whales, whose common names also contain “whale” instead of “dolphin.”
Found in every ocean in the world, they are the most widely distributed of all cetaceans (whales and dolphins). Scientific studies have revealed many different populations with several distinct ecotypes (or forms) of killer whales worldwide -some of which may be different species or subspecies. They are one of the most recognizable marine mammals, with their distinctive black and white bodies. Globally, killer whales occur in a wide range of habitats, in both open seas and coastal waters. Taken as a whole, the species has the most varied diet of all cetaceans, but different populations are usually specialized in their foraging behavior and diet. They often use a coordinated hunting strategy, working as a team like a pack of wolves.
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