Whale watching incident in Coghlan Cut prompts operator inquiry at Juneau task force

A whale watching incident in Coghlan Cut prompted discussion at the Visitor Industry Task Force 2.0 on Thursday, with task force member Kirby Day requesting more information on which operators use the waterway through Juneau's voluntary oversight programs.

Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce added the item at the start of the July 9 meeting, along with an update on the Huna Totem project. Chair Ella Adkison called the meeting to order with nine of ten members present; Kirsa Hughes-Skandijs was absent. Director Pierce described the recent whale watching incident in Coghlan Cut and how it may interface with VITF work. Kirby Day said he would like more information on which operators are using Coghlan Cut through the Tourism Best Management Practices program and the Southeast Alaska Whale Watch Association.

No formal action came out of Thursday's meeting. Staff will research data resources and differing long-term plan scopes ahead of the next session. The task force meets July 16 at 5:30 p.m., with data collection and long-term planning as the primary agenda topic. The following meeting is Aug. 13.