The Northern Resident Orca family called the A42’s have once again returned to the Powell River area. We even managed a photo from our streaming web cam. It was in December 2012 when Mom A42 Sonora had her calf A103 Albion, named after the point she was first observed at. Around that same time there was a new Transient Bigg’s calf born also in Malaspina Strait which created some confusion in our reports without photos to confirm Albion’s identification until January 2013. Keep your eyes open and don’t forget to let us know because the Southern Resident Orca tend to make their way into these upper reaches of Georgia Strait usually around Christmas also.
At least eight Humpback Whales are staying in the upper Georgia Strait also. I have some concerns for their food being taken by the krill draggers out there. Krill is the bottom of a productive food chain feeding many species from birds to progressively larger fish and whales. Dragging for them destroys ecosystems with huge bycatch consequences. The primary commercial value of krill is vitamins for human consumption.
All of us at WOWs would like to wish you the best of the Holidays!
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Northern Resident Killer Whales, A42s, passing the Society’s webcam
Society News & Events
Charity Donation Receipts:
WOWS is please to announce that we have been granted CRA Registered Charity status for the purposes of the Income Tax Act of Canada, allowing us to issue official tax deductible donation receipts starting with cash donations you have so kindly contributed to our efforts throughout 2017. Your Donations allow us to continue, and are greatly appreciated helping us cover costs. We can’t do this without your support and hope that you might consider donating with this ability to receive an official tax deductible receipt.
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Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update:
Our live camera feed is at YouTube Channel Live Link. Work continues on a resolution for the transmission problems causing the intermittent bouncy images from the Beach Gardens Marina camera. Our second (backup) live stream mounted in Powell River appears when the Beach Gardens camera is down. We appreciate your patience.
Thank You to all our hardworking volunteers and contributors! Our newest volunteers are finishing their training and are doing great.
Our team of online Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us? Updated Job Postings are in the works for 2018, so stay tuned.
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ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-044
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Fri Dec 08 2017
16:30 • est. 3-4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ moving slowly, heading south between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. 1 large male. Others difficult to identify because of fog and fading light. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
15:00 • 3-4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south almost to Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Judy Brant, Powell River, BC
14:30 • 4-5 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south passing the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
About four to five Northern Resident Killer Whales A42s passing the Powell River Viewpoint
Fri, 8 Dec 2017 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
About four to five Northern Resident Killer Whales A42s passing the Powell River Viewpoint
Fri, 8 Dec 2017 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:27 • 2 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south between Sliammon, Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 29 2017
15:45 • 5 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales, A42s, heading south off of Grief Point
Wed, 29 Nov 2017 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales, A42s, heading south off of Grief Point
Wed, 29 Nov 2017 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:04 • est. 4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. about 100 – 150 meters off shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC
15:02 • est. 4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south Powell River Viewpoint. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Dec 05 2017
10:00 • 4 Orca foraging, off Sutil Point, Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. Two adults and two juveniles. It appeared that the young were brought to the surface to breathe three times before the mother came to breathe once. They then dove and were gone for 15minutes to reappear in almost the same area of water. This continued for about an hour before they headed east between Twin Islands and Hernando Island. This took place this morning between 10 am – 11 am approximately.
JoAnne Schachtel, Cortes Island, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale, T002C, Tasu, checking a boat out in the summer
Sun, 10 Dec 2017 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whale, T002C, Tasu, checking a boat out in the summer
Sun, 10 Dec 2017 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T10 and T10C, during the summer
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T10 and T10C, during the summer
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Baby Killer Whale pushing itself off on its mother
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Baby Killer Whale pushing itself off on its mother
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 – 1 items
Fri Dec 08 2017
12:33 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north very close to the beach at Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
12:32 • Humpback Whales right in front of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in front of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 8 Dec 2017 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales in front of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 8 Dec 2017 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 05 2017
08:30 • est. 3 Humpback Whales foraging, heading south-east close to shore off Little Qualicum River, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robert and Susanne Guest, Qualicum Beach, BC
Mon Dec 04 2017
15:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Myrtle Rocks, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC
14:17 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south mid-strait between Grief Point and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales heading south between Grief Point and Blubber Bay
Mon, 4 Dec 2017 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales heading south between Grief Point and Blubber Bay
Mon, 4 Dec 2017 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:07 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Harwood Island Spit and Harwood Island Bluffs, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:39 • Humpback Whales about 10 ft. from shore between Sevilla Island and Lund, Malaspina Strait. Estimated six Humpbacks earlier in the morning.
Mark Richards, Powell River, BC
12:25 • Humpback Whales moved into Shelter Bay off Shelter Point, Georgia Strait.
11:47 • est. 4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Possibly more than four.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:58 • Humpback Whales foraging and moving slowly, heading south on the Vancouver Island side across from Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
09:09 • est. 2 Humpback Whales south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed blows.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 03 2017
14:30 • 2-3 Humpback Whales foraging, off north side of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Diving and foraging in the same area off the north side of Savary island towards the Lund end. Watched for about 1 1/2 hours. Two whales for sure, perhaps another whale followed as they left the area and were lost from our sight. From shore at Diver’s Rock. ▫ Observed from Shore
Terry Brown and Jude Abrams, Lund, BC
Sat Dec 02 2017
15:13 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Nov 30 2017
13:46 • Humpback Whales heading south south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Judy Brant, Powell River, BC
12:55 • Humpback Whales heading south Powell River Viewpoint. close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Nov 29 2017
13:32 • 2 Humpback Whales west of the SW tip of Harwood Island, Georgia Strait.
13:30 • 3-4 Humpback Whales mid-channel between Vivian Island and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Tue Nov 28 2017
15:00 • 2-3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading east 500m off can buoy, south of Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Seen from Helliwell Park looking south. Large whales, presume Humpbacks, spending a lot of time on the surface between dives. ▫ Observed from Shore
Don Peterson, Hornby Island, BC
11:14 • est. 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Seeing at least three Humpback tails. ▫ Observed from Shore
11:14 • Humpback Whales off Rebecca Rocks mid-channel in Georgia Strait. I think quite a few out there towards Vancouver Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:05 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north close to the tideline, north of Hidden Harbour in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC
Mon Nov 27 2017
10:42 • est. 3 Humpback Whales travelling, between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:23 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south very close to shore, north of Rockwater Resort above Secret Cove, Malaspina Strait. Travelling VERY close to shore (approx 150 ft). ▫ Observed from Shore
10:23 • est. 4 Humpback Whales breaching, heading south far out, off Rockwater Resort above Secret Cove. ▫ Observed from Shore
Keely Stothers, Secret Cove
Sun Nov 26 2017
11:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south just south of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
09:34 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north mid strait off Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Robert Johnson, Powell River, BC
–:– • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, bay off Copper Island, Hardy Island, Jervis Inlet. Whale was there all day feeding. ▫ Second Hand
Judy Brant, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale bubble net feeding in the summer
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 – 1 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale bubble net feeding in the summer
Mon, 11 Dec 2017 – 1 items
NEW! WOWs Sightings Archive Explorer
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Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out “KC”, the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
• Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page
Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
David Suzuki Foundation
There are only 76 Salish Sea orcas left – and this number is falling. If we don’t help them now, it will be too late. With the strength of one collective voice, on behalf of the Salish Sea orcas, we will be heard. #JoinThePod…
read onHakai Magazine
The Salish Sea’s resident killer whales are in trouble-and garnering all the headlines-but transient killer whales traveling the same waters seem to be doing fine….
read onCBC News, NB
Months before Joe Howlett died rescuing a right whale from a Department of Fisheries and Oceans boat, a government official described disentanglement as expensive and “high-risk” work it doesn’t have any intention of doing itself, according to documents obtained by CBC News….
read onDPTimes
November to March mark the months where thousands travel from their summer feeding grounds in the Arctic to warmer waters. Although Maui, Hawaii is a hotspot winter destination for humpback whales, many travel to Mexico to mate, give birth and nurse their young. This is great news for California whale watchers, as we can often witness these behemoths as they pass our coastline….
read onCBC News, NS
Following the deaths of at least 16 endangered North Atlantic right whales this year in Canadian and U.S. waters, a new study has confirmed what scientists already suspected – their habitat range has shifted.
After the whales started disappearing from the Scotian Shelf off southern Nova Scotia and other areas where they were common, scientists began pulling together data gathered from underwater microphones mounted to the ocean floor……. read on
New-York Times, NY
In one more sign that North Atlantic right whales are struggling, a new study finds sky-high levels of stress in animals that have been caught in fishing nets.
Researchers determined the stress hormone levels of more than 100 North Atlantic right whales over a 15-year period by examining their feces. Sometimes guided by sniffing dogs, researchers followed the animals, collecting waste samples that they then analyzed in their lab at the New England Aquarium…. read on
The Star,ON
PORTLAND, MAINE-Officials with the U.S government say it’s time to consider the possibility that endangered right whales could become extinct unless new steps are taken to protect them.
North Atlantic right whales are among the rarest marine mammals in the world, and they have endured a deadly year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said there are only about 450 of the whales left and 17 of them have died so far in 2017…. read on
NewsHub
A Kiwi YouTuber has captured the astonishing moment an orca whale successfully captured a stingray at his local beach.
The footage, taken from a drone hovering over shallow waters in Nelson’s Ruby Bay, shows the orca chowing down on a stingray as the sea around it fills with blood…. read on
Grind TV
Researchers in Russia were pleasantly surprised when a juvenile orca cozied up to their tiny inflatable boat in a playful but emotional close encounter.
A volunteer with the Far East Russia Orca Project captured video of the encounter over the summer, but its first apparent media exposure outside of Russia came when the Mirror posted the video Wednesday:… read on
Oceans Deeply
For a fish that humans don’t eat and that is not currently considered overfished, menhaden have recently attracted significant attention. That’s because much in the marine ecosystem rides on the little fish, which are one of the Atlantic’s important forage species – prey for whales and other predators. Thanks to fishing quotas set by the first coastwide menhaden management plan in 2012, many states have seen large schools return to areas they’d largely left long ago, according to conservationists.
Humpback whales are now being spotted in significant numbers in New York Harbor for the first time in a century …… read on
Science
Instead of wearing earplugs at a rock concert, imagine you could simply tune a dial inside your ears to lower the volume-and protect your hearing. Four species of whales and dolphins can do this naturally, new research reveals. This could potentially allow the animals to shield themselves from the cacophony of Navy sonar and oil drilling, which has been linked to at least 500 marine mammal deaths since 1963….
read onNPR, US
Narwhals – the unicorns of the sea – show a weird fear response after being entangled in nets. Scientists say this unusual reaction to human-induced stress might restrict blood flow to the brain and leave the whales addled.
The narwhals swim hard and dive deep to escape after being released from a net, but at the same time their heart rates dramatically plummet, according to a newly published report in Science. It’s almost like they are simultaneously trying to freeze and flee…. read on
The Sun Herald
… This is the post-Hurricane Harvey reality for the popular bay dolphins, known to swim alongside boats and ferries throughout Galveston Bay. Nearly three months after the storm’s destruction, the more than 500 dolphins she’s documented in Upper Galveston Bay still are struggling to recover….
read onThe Conversation
A team of scientists in the United Kingdom and the U.S. recently reported the discovery of pathological signs of Alzheimer’s disease in dolphins, animals whose brains are similar in many ways to those of humans.
The new finding in dolphins supports the research team’s hypothesis that two factors conspire to raise the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in dolphins.
Those factors are: longevity with a long post-fertility life span – that is, a species living, on average, many years after the child-bearing years are over – and insulin signaling…. read on
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