Whidbey Island’s top whale watchers, Susan Berta and Howard Garrett, have created an organization called Orca Network. Both had been associated with the Orca Conservancy.

Based in Greenbank, Orca Network began in December with more than 300 people who watch orcas and gray whales from the Canadian Gulf Islands to Olympia.

The group said in a news release that its purpose is to observe and report movements of whales, to promote land-based whale watching, and increase awareness of whales and marine habitat. The group also will work to free Lolita, the Puget Sound orca held in a Florida aquarium.

Whale sightings can be reported at www.orcanetwork.org or toll-free at 1-866-orcanet (672-2638). The local number is 360-678-3451.