On our complicated relationship with marine mammals

An explosion of attention around how we interact with marine mammals is forcing us off topic today. Whales, seals, and dolphins have long been looked at solely as resources by humans, for food, fur, entertainment, and scientific research, among others. As with other many (but not all) species, as humans learn about how these creatures interact with their environment (and the value that provides) and our lifestyles become less dependent on their use, our collective attitude often shifts from exploitation to protection.

At SEE Turtles, we've seen this shift happen before our eyes, as communities shift their economies to benefit from conservation. Watching my daughter interact with a friendly gray whale in Baja recently has made this relationship more visceral than ever.

In many cases however, these competing views collide, sometimes violently, with the animals literally caught in the middle. Here's a wrap-up of recent developments:

• The Cove wins best documentary but Oscars producers, averse to anything controversial, quickly shifts away as Ric O'Barry holds up a sign saying "Text Dolphin to 44144". A couple of interesting post-scripts: The makers of the movie apparently broke up an illegal whale smuggling operation at a restaurant in California. They are also planning a tv-version of the movie for Animal Planet.
• RadioLab, an extremely entertaining radio production company affiliated with NPR, has a great podcast highlighting two fascinating stories: divers freeing a whale caught in fishing gear and a leopard seal attempting to feed penguins to a photographer. Click here to find the podcast, look on the right side for one titled "Animal Minds".
• Here in our back yard in Oregon, the now annual euthanizing of sea lions for doing what comes naturally (eating fish) has begun anew. Federal agents say they are eating too much salmon (whereas the giant dams and fishing boats are "off the hook".
• An orca at SeaWorld recently killed a trainer, dragging her underwater and drowning her. Apparently bowing to public pressure, the company is now reconsidering using this orca in its shows though has stopped short of reconsidering the use of these animals for entertainment.
• Finally, Canadian politicians have adopted Japan's combative attitude towards international criticism over the cruelty of the harp seal "hunt". The normally polite Canadians (perhaps emboldened by their hockey teams gold medal?) will be serving seal in Parliament to protest the European Union's ban on seal products.