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'Unconscionable': Beached Gray Whale Found with Initials Carved Into Its Side
Experts say the carvings may violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which can bring fines of up to $10,000 and five years in prison.
- On May 15, Orca Network Stranding Response Coordinator Garry Heinrich discovered the letters "AW + KO" carved into a beached gray whale near Oak Harbor, Washington, shortly after experts arrived to conduct a necropsy.
- The federal Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassment or disturbance of marine species, even after death, prompting NOAA Fisheries enforcement to investigate the carving as a violation of the law.
- Witnesses reported a separate incident on May 16 when two people attempted to remove the whale's baleen using a saw; an observer recorded the vehicle plate and provided it to Heinrich for law enforcement.
- Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 and five years in prison, though Heinrich noted that "it's very hard to prosecute" without clear evidence of who committed the acts and when.
- Researchers are concerned as 21 gray whales have washed up on Washington shores this year, while the global population has fallen to about 13,000 as of last year and continues declining.
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South Whidbey RecordReposted by 
Whidbey News-Times
Whidbey News-TimesNOAA investigating disturbances to 19th dead whale on Whidbey
Violators of an act protecting the whale carved initials into its side and tampered with its baleen.
·Oak Harbor, United States
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center21Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources are Center
100% Center
C 100%
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