Meanwhile back home

Orcas say -- back off, monkeys!

Whale watchers and other boaters will have to stay twice as far from Puget Sound's orca whales to avoid disturbing the endangered species, under new rules issued Friday by the federal government.
Boaters also won't be allowed to cut in front of a whale to intercept it, but the government dropped plans to ban vessels from the west side of Orcas Island during summer after public opposition, according to documents released by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The new rules take effect next month, and will apply to everything from yachts and whale-watching tours to kayaks and sailboats. Commercial fishing boats and container ships and tankers traveling in established fishing lanes will be exempt.
The population of Puget Sound's southern resident orcas has dropped more than half from historic highs and now numbers an estimated 86. The marine mammals were listed as federally endangered species in 2005, largely as a result of pollution, declines in chinook salmon, their key food source, and harassment by vessels.

Seattle Times