The tight economy has limited the Soundwatch program this year. The program, which normally starts in early May, is just getting underway now in June.  The Kayak Education and Leadership Program (K.E.L.P.), the kayak-specific arm of the program, has received no funds at all. With the orcas and other marine wildlife facing many threats, the loss of these programs adds one more: careless and uninformed boaters who may inadvertently harm marine mammals and other wildlife. One volunteer is making a huge difference. Karrie Cooper, an avid kayaker and local guide, is donating her own time and energy to keep the K.E.L.P. program alive.  She has committed to holding both formal and informal K.E.L.P. kayaker training sessions at San Juan County Park, training commercial guides and getting the K.E.L.P. map and guide into as many recreational and commercial kayaker’s hands as possible. Her efforts were helped along by the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, which provided funding to print an annual supply of the map and guide.

Here’s a little bit about the K.E.L.P. program that Karrie is keeping alive.

The Kayak Education and Leadership Program is a component of the Soundwatch Boater Education Program. K.E.L.P. educators teach commercial and private kayakers about marine stewardship and promote the Responsible Kayaker Code to help reduce disturbances to marine wildlife by irresponsible boating practices.

The Responsible Kayaker Code

1. • I WILL HAVE A TRIP PLAN. I will learn the laws, accessible public landing areas, safety issues and environmental conditions before leaving shore. I WILL RESPECT THE PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND PLANTS THAT MAKE THIS AREA THEIR HOME.
   

2. • I WILL NOT INTENTIONALLY POSITION MYSELF IN THE PATH OF WHALES, PADDLE INTO GROUPS OF WHALES OR CHASE WHALES. I will move out of the whales’ route and position myself and my group 100 yards or meters from whales, preferably toward the shore or in kelp beds and stop paddling. I will group together with other kayakers to appear as one vessel. Whales can navigate around a cluster of boats more easily than if kayaks are spread out. Outfitters have experienced closer whale encounters when grouped and not paddling.
   

3. •I WILL PADDLE IN A WIDE ARC, 100 YARDS OR MORE, AROUND SEAL HAULOUTS AND NESTING BIRD SITES. I will avoid making loud noises and or pointing at wildlife. Resting seals and nesting birds are especially sensitive to paddle and oar movements. I will watch for warning signs such as a heads up posture and alarm calls. I will take extreme caution to avoid stampeding seals into the water or birds away from their nests or fledglings.
   

4. •I WILL NOT APPROACH DESIGNATED WILDLIFE REFUGES CLOSER THAN 200 YARDS