Transient Orca Hunting Dall’s Porpoise

19:00 • 3 Biggs Orca headed into Comox Harbour. One big male and two smaller ones. Swam into Comox harbour and just kept swimming inland.

19:00 • 4-5 Biggs Orca heading east off Texada Island, Georgia Strait.

17:53 • 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait. Information from a friend. ▫ Second Hand

19:05 • est. 3 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north-west between Myrtle Rocks and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. One large whale with slight lop of dorsal fin to left side, one smaller than first, one much smaller than both others. Observed from Garnet Rock Campground. ▫ Observed from Shore

16:51 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south-west passed Hill Island angling toward Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.

14:51 • 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north just west of South Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.

14:00 • Biggs Orca along the shore of Raza Island across from Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

12:43 • Biggs Orca ?T019 Mooyah; T018 Esperanza; T019C Spouter; T019B Galiano? heading west, Pryce Channel.

11:37 • Biggs Orca by Brettell Point and Channel Island, Toba Inlet.

10:32 • Biggs Orca ?T018s; T019B Galiano? by Snout Point outbound from Toba Inlet.

18:51 • Biggs Orca ?T010s? heading south at entrance to Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

17:12 • Biggs Orca hunting, centre of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.

17:02 • Biggs Orca inside Menzies Bay.

11:15 • Biggs Orca in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Very elusive.

11:00 • 3 Biggs Orca breaching, heading west in Gabriola Passage off of Pylades Channel. We saw the Prince of Whales boats and other boats and knew something was coming. Then, 2 and finally 3 very large Orca were seen and spent about 15 minutes in the little cove by our property. Some spouts of water, very large dorsal fins, and flapping their tails in the air. Big as we have seen Killer whales before. They left in a westerly direction and we saw them looking out from Gabriola and at Valdez Island. A great feat of nature today..and one that made an impression. ▫ Observed from Shore

10:42 • Biggs Orca ?T010s? just by Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.

08:23 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north at mouth of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

08:16 • Biggs Orca heading south close to Big Rock near Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

08:15 • Biggs Orca heading north in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

20:40 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north by Frolander Bay rounding point south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Possibly last of pod.

12:00 • 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north-west off Qualicum Beach, Georgia Strait. Crossed in front of sailboat. ▫ On Scene

15:10 • 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north mid channel past the Powell River Viewpoint heading toward Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

13:15 • NRKW Orca ?A30s; I15s? off Bold Head, Swanson Island, Queen Charlotte Strait. Amazing vocals.

13:22 • NRKW Orca ?A30s? top end of Hanson Island angled toward Cracroft Point, Blackfish Sound.

12:32 • Orca resting, off Sophia Islands, Johnstone Strait.

–:– • est. 4 Orca milling, off Bowen Island, Collingwood Channel. One large and two small whales. ▫ From Ferry

18:19 • 6 Humpback Whales heading north off Texada Island, Georgia Strait. They were heading north and then turned around to head south.

17:23 • 1 Humpback Whales off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.

16:44 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Texada Island, Georgia Strait. They were mid channel and were resting at times.

15:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off Tyee Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.

15:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west along the eddy line at the west end of West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.

15:57 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

15:55 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east along the north-west side of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Swam across the bay, coming up for air frequently.

11:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.

10:51 • 2 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.

10:14 • 4 Humpback Whales in the middle of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. In pairs.

10:13 • 5 Humpback Whales off Penn Islands.

09:57 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:52 • 2 Humpback Whales in Upper Rapids at the north side of Quadra Island, Okisollo Channel.

15:36 • 3 Humpback Whales, Raza Passage.

15:36 • 2 Humpback Whales off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

14:17 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off south Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

10:59 • est. 6 Humpback Whales between Centre Islet and Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.

10:40 • 1 Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel. Small one.

10:27 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north just south of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.

10:26 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Center Islet, Sutil Channel.

10:06 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north toward Stuart Island, Calm Channel.

09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.

17:03 • 2 Humpback Whales out from Raza Point, Calm Channel.

14:51 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, by Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

14:48 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

14:33 • 2-3 Humpback Whales by Raza Island, Raza Passage.

14:10 • Humpback Whales heading south below Montgomery Bank, Georgia Strait.

12:37 • 3 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.

11:15 • Humpback Whales bucking tide, in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.

10:42 • Humpback Whales off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.

10:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west heading out of Okisollo Channel.

09:51 • 2 Humpback Whales by Marina Island off Whaletown, Sutil Channel.

09:33 • 2 Humpback Whales by second fish farm in Okisollo Channel.

–:– • 1 Humpback Whales in Seal Bay, Georgia Strait. Observed from shore in the evening. ▫ Second Hand

18:46 • 2 Humpback Whales by April Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand

18:08 • 2 Humpback Whales top end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

17:57 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

16:57 • Humpback Whales off Hill Island.

16:30 • 1 Humpback Whales a couple of miles north of Fawn Bluff in Bute Inlet.

15:47 • 2 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Calm Channel.

15:29 • 2 Humpback Whales at Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

15:28 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south 1/4 mile south of Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.

14:20 • 1 Humpback Whales off Johnstone Bluff, Calm Channel.

13:13 • 2 Humpback Whales in Eastwest Bay, Maurelle Island, Calm Channel.

13:09 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

12:53 • Humpback Whales milling, in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand

12:14 • est. 4 Humpback Whales foraging, off Favada Point, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.

12:10 • Humpback Whales bucking tide, in Hole in the Wall.

11:40 • Humpback Whales by Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.

11:16 • Humpback Whales near south end of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

10:57 • 2 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

10:47 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north close to center Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. After a few minutes, the whale changed direction and travelled southward.

10:43 • 1 Humpback Whales south of red can marker at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Mugging a pleasure boat.

10:42 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west near Owen Bay.

10:06 • 5 Humpback Whales off Springer Point, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.

10:02 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 NM west of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading north about 5-miles north of the ferry terminal of Comox, Georgia Strait. On surface adjacent to sailboat for several minutes. Then tails up and dived below surface. ▫ On Scene

09:56 • Humpback Whales heading south mid strait in front of the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.

09:44 • 3 Humpback Whales, Hole in the Wall.

09:18 • Humpback Whales by Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.

09:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

09:30 • 2-3 Humpback Whales heading south close to Texada Island shore, 1 km south of Gillies Bay toward Sabine Channel, Georgia Strait. 3-5 breaths clearly visible from Grassy Point, Hornby Island, followed by dives approx 3 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore

15:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Westview heading toward Powell River Townsite by Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.

09:00 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north-west off the estuary of Qualicum River, Georgia Strait. Seen from shore near the mouth of the Big Qualicum River. Swimming slowly close to shore, coming up for frequent breaths. Lingered at the outlet of the estuary briefly, then swam away in a northward direction. One very poor quality photo available. ▫ Observed from Shore

11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading south between Powell River Westview Harbour and Coho / Kiddie Point, Malaspina Strait. Coming back from fishing just south of Coho point on Texada island and heading towards the Powell River marina. ▫ On Scene

10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales by Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand

13:00 • Humpback Whales breaching, in front of Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Lots of breaching and blows; a show of a lifetime.

17:45 • Humpback Whales in front of Westview, Powell River. Also heard blows at night of the 14th.

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

15:49 • est. 300 PWS Dolphins heading west off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.

10:53 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins heading west toward Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.

09:24 • est. 100-200 PWS Dolphins heading east 1 mile west of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.

09:05 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins now past Howe Island heading up Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand

08:53 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins by Howe Island, Nodales Channel.

17:47 • PWS Dolphins by Bjerre Rock, Okisollo Channel.

17:04 • 15 PWS Dolphins, Okisollo Channel. By fish farm.

09:22 • 11 PWS Dolphins milling, in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.

16:34 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins heading east mid Strait off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.

16:18 • PWS Dolphins back and forth between Okisollo Channel and Nodales Channel, Discovery Passage.

11:02 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins milling, heading east 1 mile north of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.

13:05 • 2 Dalls Porpoise foraging, heading south-east off Tent Island north of Crofton, Stuart Channel. Foraging in circles, and then moved on at very fast clip. ▫ On Scene

17:12 • Dalls Porpoise being hunted, centre of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.

16:19 • Dalls Porpoise by Denham Bay above Dent Rapids.

REGIONAL

They’re exasperating, those creatures that flit across the path or in the wake of boats, leaping and diving so fast we barely see them. Usually the non-expert isn’t close enough to tell apart the harbour porpoise, Dall’s porpoise and Pacific white-sided dolphin. These speedy small cetaceans seem to have nothing to do in life but cavort, feast and have fun.

Their colouration is similar, and we glimpse only a black, white and grey blur as they hyperactively leap about. Had we time to look closely we could see a white-tipped fin on the back of the Dall’s which distinguishes it from the harbour porpoise. Or was it the more rare Pacific white-sided dolphin we saw? This cetacean is larger than a porpoise, but unless they’re side by side it’s hard to tell how large is "larger".

"Porpoise" comes from "porcus piscus", or pig-fish as the ancient Romans called it. Linnaeus, father of species classification, gave porpoises the name Delphinus Phocoena or "dolphin seal", because they resembled both – so we’re not the first to be confused. The Dall’s porpoise is named after William Dall, a quartermaster on a whaling ship who collected the first specimen off Alaska in 1873…..

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

KEKAHA – Researchers encountered something new off the coast of Kauai during an 11-day August field project – a probable hybrid between a melon-headed whale and rough-toothed dolphin.
"It was side by side with a melon-headed whale as a pair, which was strange because it’s unusual to see such a small group," said Robin Baird, who headed up the project with Cascadia Research.
Melon-headed whales are a rare sight off Kauai because the population that hangs out around the island cruises throughout the entire archipelago, as opposed to the resident population that lives off the Big Island.
In addition to the probable hybrid, the research team encountered a group of about 200 melon-headed whales during the project, which started Aug. 4.
"It’s unusual off of Kauai, for sure," Baird said. "And we were able to get a biopsy of the probable hybrid and it’ll be easy from the genetics to say what species (it is)."
The coloring of the probable hybrid, nicknamed Oreo by the crew, is blotchy and reminiscent of the coloring of a rough-toothed dolphin….

Populations of the endangered blue and fin whales, which were hunted nearly to extinction in the 20th century, will not have recovered to even half of their pre-whaling numbers by 2100, according to a new Australian study.

It found that three species – the Antarctic blue (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and southern right (Eubalaena australis) whales – will have recovered to less than half of their 19th-century numbers by the start of the 22nd century, despite bans on hunting those species being introduced in the 1960s, 1970s and 1930s respectively.

Humpack whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), which are currently at 32% of their pre-whaling population, …

Two helpless whales were rescued within three days of each other after getting caught up in fishing ropes.
The incredible operation to save the whales was caught on camera in Hermanus, South Africa – a destination that attracts thousands of British tourists every year.
Footage shows the whales becoming entangled in the ropes and flotation buoys that are used by fishermen in the area.
In both instances, whale watchers contacted the National Sea Rescue Initiative to come and free the whales using specialist cutting gear.
NSRI crew rescued the first whale on Sunday, after turning up and finding them in severe difficulties off the coast at Kleinmond.

Can we find a way to share the sea with those majestic giants of the deep, the North Atlantic right whale?

The question is urgent.

With only perhaps 500 of the endangered marine mammals left, a spate of right whale deaths in recent months has alarmed all concerned with saving these cetaceans.

At least 13 right whales have died off the Atlantic seaboard this summer – 10 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and three more in U.S. waters. Necropsies so far point to ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements as responsible.

Unfortunately, right whales’ natural behaviour puts them at risk in waters heavily used by humans.

The whales, which can live at least 75 years….

PORTLAND, MAINE-Fearing an existential threat to one of the largest mammals in the sea, the United States government has launched an investigation into a string of deaths of endangered North Atlantic right whales.

At least 13 of the whales have been found dead this year off Atlantic Canada and New England, an unprecedented number experts say threatens the survival of the species.

"The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most critically endangered populations of large whales in the world," David Gouveia with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries branch said Friday….

Twelve years of data on the health of two Atlantic bottlenose dolphin populations paints a grim reality concerning the wellbeing of the Atlantic Ocean…. “When we look at more than a decade of research, analyzing long-term health data and trends and a variety of environmental factors, we see a number of red flags about the health of our oceans and what it could potentially mean for human health,” said Dr. Gregory Bossart, lead author of one of the companion papers, HERA federal permit holder and Chief Veterinary Officer and Senior Vice President at Georgia Aquarium.

The papers examine biological samples and data from 360 dolphins living in two populations — one living near Charleston, S.C. (CHS) and the other in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL) — and each focus on one aspect of dolphin health.