Minke Whale off Texada Island

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Minke Whale off Texada Island

September 3, 2017   —   issue No. 2017-031


The majority of sightings continue to be Humpback whales found in inland waters. Earlier in the week, a Humpback whale was found to be tangled up in some fishing gear off of Kinghorn Island in Desolation Sound and authorities were able to locate it and free it within a few hours. It is hoped that all reported whale entanglements can be dealt with in a quick manner, with the successful release of the whale.

A Minke whale was reported off of the north end of Texada Island. Minke whales are solitary animals, and they are very elusive as they may surface to breathe quickly once and then dive for long periods of time. There are some “resident” Minke whales off of the north-east coast of Vancouver Island near the Port McNeill area and they can be observed regularly over the summer months. To see Minke whales in the Georgia Strait is rare but they may be in the Strait more than we think. Rounding out our report includes a few sightings of Transient Orca, Northern Resident Orca, Pacific White-sided dolphins, porpoises, and of Grey whales. The Grey whales were seen on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society


Humpback Whale breaching south of Penns Islands

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

Society News & Events
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Sightings Update


ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-031

ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES


Wed Aug 30 2017

18:06 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading towards Mary Point, Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out


17:26 • Biggs Orca off Sarah Point, Malaspina Strait.



Tue Aug 29 2017

17:10 • Biggs Orca ?T010s? heading west at 6 knots at Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.


16:00 • Biggs Orca heading south near the shore of East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.


14:45 • Biggs Orca heading north at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand


13:05 • 2 Biggs Orca at the mouth of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene


09:45 • Biggs Orca ?T010s? off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:40 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.


09:01 • Biggs Orca in front of the Steep Island Lodge on Steep Island, Discovery Passage.


07:13 • Biggs Orca heading north in front of We Wai Kai Village, Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. Info from Ferry. ▫ Second Hand



Mon Aug 28 2017

18:44 • 2 Biggs Orca off King Islets, Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene


18:11 • 2 Biggs Orca taking long dives, at Hoskyn Rock, Sutil Channel. Super duper elusive, and possibly heading into Hoskyn channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


17:44 • 2 Biggs Orca 1-mile off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.


16:45 • est. 20 Biggs Orca vocalizing, between Hornby Island and Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


15:55 • Biggs Orca heading west off Humpback Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene


15:49 • Biggs Orca socializing, 2 miles northwest of Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


15:12 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait.


14:50 • est. 20 Biggs Orca heading south towards Lasqueti Island, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


13:00 • 5-6 Biggs Orca abeam Stimpson Reef in the middle of Johnstone Strait. Lost them and no idea of direction.


NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Sun Aug 27 2017

13:38 • NRKW Orca ?A30s ; I15s? travelling, heading west at Blinkhorn Peninsula, Johnstone Strait. Mid strait.


HUMPBACK WHALES


Wed Aug 30 2017

18:18 • 5 Humpback Whales between Penn Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Three whales in one group and the other two whales a couple hundred meters away from the first group.


16:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.


16:11 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.

16:11 • 1 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.

16:11 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.

Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive


15:09 • 2 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.

15:09 • 1 Humpback Whales off Church House, Calm Channel.


13:57 • 1 Humpback Whales about 500-m south of Stuart Island, Calm Channel.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


–:– • 3 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Observed between 8:30am and 10:30am.

–:– • 2 Humpback Whales at the can off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. Observed between 8:30am and 10:30am.

–:– • 1 Humpback Whales out front of Baker Passage. Observed between 8:30am and 10:30am.

–:– • 2 Humpback Whales off Atrevida Reef just north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Observed between 8:30am and 10:30am.

–:– • 2 Humpback Whales between Hernando Island and Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Observed between 8:30am and 10:30am.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures



Tue Aug 29 2017

18:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid channel off Cape Mudge Lighthouse a bit closer to Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


17:13 • 1 Humpback Whales off Fawn Bluff heading into Bute Inlet.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


16:42 • 3 Humpback Whales 1.5 miles off Whaletown heading toward Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. Then, changed direction and headed northward towards Plunger Pass.


16:04 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, mid channel, abeam shack off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

15:53 • 2 Humpback Whales tight to shore, north end of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.


15:53 • 1 Humpback Whales mid channel in Deer Passage.


15:28 • Humpback Whales heading south mid Rendezvous Islands in the middle of Drew Passage.


14:58 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Steep Island and the pulp mill at Campbell River, Discovery Passage.


14:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid channel off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


14:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward Plunger Passage from Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

13:58 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south from Toba Mountain, Calm Channel.


13:57 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCY0409 Yogi? breaching, off Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.


13:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north approaching Toba Mountain, Calm Channel.


12:33 • 2 Humpback Whales mid channel between Subtle Islands and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.


10:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south 300 metres off Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.


10:21 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south going behind Steep Island, Gowlland Harbour.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


10:17 • 2 Humpback Whales on north side of Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel. ▫ Second Hand


10:15 • 3 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Rebecca Spit and Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.


10:11 • 1 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.

09:56 • 1 Humpback Whales in Burdwood Bay along the shoreline of Read Island, Sutil Channel.


09:52 • 3-4 Humpback Whales at Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand


09:49 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east between Hill Island and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.


09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.


09:35 • 2 Humpback Whales pectoral slapping, heading north off Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.

09:25 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at the south east corner of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm heading toward Dogfish Bay, Sutil Channel.


08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


08:25 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.

Lorna Rutledge, Powell River, BC


–:– • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Atrevida Reef just North of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Only 150 feet from the shore. Heading towards Emmond Beach. You could almost touch them.

Pauline Decloedp, Powell River, BC



Mon Aug 28 2017

20:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.

Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC


19:01 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Armour Road near Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Big whale.

Lorna Rutledge, Powell River, BC


18:35 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north opposite Whalen Road, midway between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. The whale was on the surface for a few minutes and then did a deep dive after which we didn’t see it again. ▫ Observed from Shore

Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC


17:50 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.

Terry Brown and Jude Abrams, Lund, BC


17:46 • 1 Humpback Whales off Comox, Georgia Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce


16:09 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCY0409 Yogi? taking long dives, at the entrance to Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Breaching and pectoral slaps observed.


15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west towards Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.

Candi Little, Texada Island, BC


14:38 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east towards Redonda Bay, West Redonda Island, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene


14:01 • 4 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Center Islet, Sutil Channel. Two closer to Viner pt and 2 closer to Center Islet.

Radio, overheard or call out


12:59 • 3-4 Humpback Whales between the Quadra Island Scallop Farm and the shack on Marina Island, Sutil Channel.


12:58 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Barry just saw Humpback tail out in front of Sliammon. ▫ Second Hand

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC


12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Church House, Calm Channel.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


12:03 • 2 Humpback Whales off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Gomer Island, Nodales Channel. May stay in Cordero Channel. Moving at 5 knots.

Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures


10:48 • 1 Humpback Whales off Klahani Drive in Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. About 200 yards off-shore.

Heather Armstrong, Powell River, BC


10:47 • 2 Humpback Whales at the south end of Whale Passage heading towards the Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

10:36 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.

Shirley Cole, Powell River, BC


10:23 • 2 Humpback Whales between Von Donop Inlet and Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.


10:15 • 2 Humpback Whales coming out of Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.


10:00 • 3 Humpback Whales in Baker Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


09:31 • 1 Humpback Whales in Yuculta Rapids.


09:00 • 3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, coming out of Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.

08:15 • 1 Humpback Whales coming out of Evans Bay and heading towards Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.

07:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading into Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.


–:– • 2 Humpback Whales heading north by Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Mother and calf pair.

Jim Southern, Powell River, BC



Sun Aug 27 2017

15:18 • 1 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-west south of Penn Islands towards Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale south of Penns Islands heading towards Evans Bay

Sun, 27 Aug 2017 – 6 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures







SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale south of Penns Islands heading towards Evans Bay

Sun, 27 Aug 2017 – 6 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:51 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, 1 mile off Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.


14:31 • 1 Humpback Whales off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

14:08 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east toward Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Short dives. Fishing action. Closer to Dogfish Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene

14:01 • 2 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Active.


13:59 • 2 Humpback Whales, Raza Passage.


13:58 • Humpback Whales in the middle of Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

13:44 • Humpback Whales resting, off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:17 • 2 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Dogfish Bay, Sutil Channel.


11:17 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Lots of fluking.

09:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off the northeast corner of Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.


09:52 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Raza Island toward Lewis Channel, Calm Channel.


09:28 • Humpback Whales at Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

09:28 • Humpback Whales in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.

Dean Parsonage, 50 North Aventures


08:33 • 1 Humpback Whales out from Mayes Point, Drew Passage. At entrance to Whiterock Passage.

07:59 • 2 Humpback Whales between Plunger Passage and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


–:– • 1 Humpback Whales fin slapping, off the sandbanks of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



Sat Aug 26 2017

17:10 • est. 3-5 Humpback Whales breaching, off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Approximately 8 or 9 breaches in succession, at least twice with two in the air together. Viewed from the 5:05pm ferry to Cortes Island. Quite a display. ▫ From Ferry

Graham Blake, Cortes Island, BC


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales on the northwest side of Cortez Island

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Jessica Hurtubise, Cumberland, BC


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales on the northwest side of Cortez Island

Sat, 26 Aug 2017 – 1 items

Jessica Hurtubise, Cumberland, BC

13:15 • 4 Humpback Whales resting, south of Read Island, Sutil Channel. Mother and calf pair with two other adults. Vocalizing and socializing at the surface. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat

Marina,


07:14 • 2 Humpback Whales off Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. Observed through the scope.

07:14 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, between Blubber Bay and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Tail slaps were observed.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



Fri Aug 25 2017

16:58 • 2 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Observed through the scope.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC



Thu Aug 24 2017

07:52 • Humpback Whales south of old quarry in Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.

Candi Little, Texada Island, BC


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching off of Harwood Island

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 – 3 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC




SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching off of Harwood Island

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 – 3 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching a mile off of Francisco Point

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 – 5 items






SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale breaching a mile off of Francisco Point

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 – 5 items

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale off of Powell River

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 – 3 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC




SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale off of Powell River

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 – 3 items

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

MINKE WHALES


Sat Aug 26 2017

18:00 • 1 Minke Whales heading east from Coho / Kiddie Point towards Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Certain that it was not a Humpback.

Andrew Shostak, Powell River, BC


GREY WHALES


Mon Aug 28 2017

–:– • 3 Grey Whales playing, south of Bligh Island, Nootka Sound.

No Name Provided,


PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Wed Aug 30 2017

14:54 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins off of 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.


10:46 • PWS Dolphins milling, in front of Kanish Bay in the middle of Discovery Passage.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


10:38 • PWS Dolphins heading north south of Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures


09:06 • est. 120 PWS Dolphins heading south off No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.



Tue Aug 29 2017

16:25 • PWS Dolphins heading north past Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.


14:05 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south toward Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


13:13 • PWS Dolphins heading north through Devils Hole, Dent Rapids.

12:56 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading north off Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids.


12:45 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins, Yuculta Rapids.


11:50 • 6 PWS Dolphins off Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.

08:00 • PWS Dolphins near Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand


07:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading south off Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.

Radio, overheard or call out



Mon Aug 28 2017

13:17 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins heading east off Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.


12:07 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins off Cederstedt Creek above Adam River, Johnstone Strait.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures



Sun Aug 27 2017

12:51 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins off Hanson Island, Johnstone Strait.


DALLS PORPOISE


Tue Aug 29 2017

14:05 • Dalls Porpoise in Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out


HARBOUR PORPOISE


Mon Aug 28 2017

12:11 • 2 Harbour Porpoise foraging, between Penn Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.


09:33 • Harbour Porpoise off Whyte Islet, Queen Charlotte Channel.

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


SPECIES UNSURE


Tue Aug 29 2017

08:25 • 1 Species Unsure moving slowly, heading north-west approximately mid channel between Myrtle Rocks and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Reported as porpoise, most likely Harbour Porpoise. ▫ Observed from Shore

Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC



Mon Aug 28 2017

19:00 • 2 Species Unsure foraging, heading north-west approximately mid channel between Myrtle Rocks and Black (Albion) Point. Reported as porpoise, most likely Harbour Porpoise. ▫ Observed from Shore

Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC


–:– • 1 Species Unsure south of Bligh Island, Nootka Sound. Reported as a porpoise.

No Name Provided,



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