Summary
On February 14, 2023, the Mayor and City Council of Bainbridge Island, Washington, signed a Proclamation declaring the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas, which include “the right to: life, autonomy, culture, free and safe passage, adequate food supply from naturally occurring sources, and freedom from conditions causing physical, emotional, or mental harm, including a habitat degraded by noise, pollution and contamination.” (1). The Proclamation also recognizes that “Nature and all living beings…and the ecosystems upon which they depend, are recognized as possessing inherent rights, including to exist, flourish, evolve, regenerate, recover, and be restored.” (1)
The Proclamation describes the City of Bainbridge Island’s support for action by local, state, federal and tribal governments that secure and effectuate the inherent rights of the Southern Resident Orcas. This follows similar proclamations by the cities of Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, and Langley, Washington in December 2022.