Members of the Northern Resident Orca population have remained in the upper Georgia Strait area and many inland waters. Some of these Orca travelled as far south as Powell River this week before turning around and heading northward. Other members of Northern Resident Orca made their way around Cortes Island, Discovery Passage, and in Frederick Arm while the majority have have remained in upper Johnstone Strait.
Humpback whales have been observed in their usual locations in Sutil Channel and upper Georgia Strait. Similar to the Resident Orca, some Humpbacks made their way south this week and travelled past Powell River. Some of these Humpbacks were observed to be circling an area, which may have indicated they have found some food. Transient Orca were observed in Howe Sound on two occasions but were not reported in any other areas. Very few reports of dolphins or porpoises have been received, and they may have moved to other channels/waterways due to the presence of the Resident Orca. Rounding out our report is sightings of two Sea Otters.
There are still many near misses with boaters almost striking whales. Slow Down Please! And spread the word.
Keep your eyes open, report your sightings to us, and use caution on the water giving these animals plenty of room. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2018-033
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Aug 27 2018
12:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T087; T090s◦ off Zorro Bay, Howe Sound.
Fri Aug 24 2018
17:00 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca
travelling, heading south between Hopkins Landing and Keats Island, Collingwood Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore
Darren Norman, Gibsons, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 28 2018
15:00 • NRKW Orca heading west angled towards Nodales Channel from Frederick Arm.
Big group of Orca. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:22 • NRKW Orca, Frederick Arm.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:54 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north in front of Lund angled at Major Rock Islet, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:18 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north off Hurtado Point south of Lund, Malaspina Strait.
12:15 • est. 25 NRKW Orca
spread out, between Howe Island and Lee Islands, Nodales Channel.
Heading towards the mainland. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:00 • NRKW Orca off Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales off of Atrevida Reef
Tue, 28 Aug 2018 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales off of Atrevida Reef
Tue, 28 Aug 2018 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:48 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north 1.5 miles south of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:26 • NRKW Orca heading south from Chatham Point close to the shore of Vancouver Island, Discovery Passage.
11:26 • 4 NRKW Orca off Suffolk Point heading into Nodales Channel.
11:06 • est. 12 NRKW Orca heading north-east off Chatham Point towards Nodales Channel, Discovery Passage.
10:57 • est. 12 NRKW Orca heading south off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
They were headed north but turned to go south.
10:36 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north off Sliammon near Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
10:18 • NRKW Orca heading south between Walkem Islands and Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
A big group. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Wayne Wright, Campbell River. BC
10:17 • NRKW Orca heading south by Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:08 • NRKW Orca heading north one mile off of the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
08:10 • 5-6 NRKW Orca heading north off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
08:00 • 5 NRKW Orca heading north off Myrtle Rocks in the middle of Malaspina Strait.
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC
07:50 • est. 2 NRKW Orca
travelling, heading north between Myrtle Rocks and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
I saw 1 possibly 2 Orca before they disappeared behind trees. They were possibly the last in a passing group. The first one observed was a male. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
Mon Aug 27 2018
13:49 • NRKW Orca ◦A30s; A25s◦ eastern boundary of Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait.
Possibly the A25s, and friends. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:22 • est. 30+ NRKW Orca ◦A30s; A25s◦ heading west at Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait.
Possibly the A25s, and friends.
12:06 • NRKW Orca heading north by Naka Creek.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:11 • est. 30 NRKW Orca at Forward Bay, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait.
East of Robson Bight.
Sun Aug 26 2018
14:38 • est. 3-4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦
hunting, heading north 500-m offshore near Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Possibly a family group. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ben Cunningham, Vancouver, BC
14:34 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north off Myrtle Rocks.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
14:31 • NRKW Orca heading north 5 knots half mile offshore at Myrtle Rocks.
14:30 • 5 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north off Myrtle Rocks.
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC
14:22 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north back towards Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
They were heading south but turned.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales, A42s, heading north off of Powell River
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Resident Killer Whales, A42s, heading north off of Powell River
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 – 9 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:13 • 4 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ off Donkersley Beach south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
One large whale, one medium, and two small ones. Being closely followed by two whale watching boats. The boats are really close to the Orcas.
Laura Johnson, Powell River, BC
12:43 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading north half mile offshore at Lang Bay, Malaspina Strait.
12:24 • NRKW Orca ◦A23s◦ off Wastell Islets top of Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:52 • est. 10 NRKW Orca
moving slowly, heading west off Kelsey Bay tight to the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait.
G clan.
11:43 • 3 NRKW Orca
moving slowly, heading west off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Seeing two females and a small calf so far.
11:32 • NRKW Orca just west of Sayward, Johnstone Strait.
09:19 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ by Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
Northern Resident Killer Whales
North Resident Killer Whales, A42s, heading south by Myrtle Point
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 – 1 items
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
Northern Resident Killer Whales
North Resident Killer Whales, A42s, heading south by Myrtle Point
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 – 1 items
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
08:15 • 5 NRKW Orca heading south off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC
07:30 • 6 NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦
moving slowly, heading south just south of the light at Grief Point, Beach Gardens Marina, Malaspina Strait.
Includes two babies. Very closely packed together. One baby breathing more often than the others.
Anne and Ron Baker, Powell River, BC
Sat Aug 25 2018
19:08 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south half-mile north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
19:00 • est. 7-8 NRKW Orca heading north at Deepwater Bay, Discovery Passage.
17:52 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south heading through Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
17:23 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ heading south approaching Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
16:21 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ approaching Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:33 • NRKW Orca ◦A42s◦ north end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
15:15 • NRKW Orca between Whale Passage and Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:44 • NRKW Orca at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
12:34 • NRKW Orca Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
12:32 • NRKW Orca
spread out, from Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Spread across the Channel to the powerlines.
12:30 • NRKW Orca
spread out, heading south north of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
11:13 • NRKW Orca heading south 1/2 mile from Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
Several whales spread through the whole strait.
10:28 • NRKW Orca Spread out between Deepwater Bay and the shore of Vancouver Island, Discovery Passage.
08:39 • NRKW Orca heading south Kanish Bay Discovery Passage.
07:30 • NRKW Orca
moving slowly, heading south past Granite Point, Discovery Passage.
Several whales, spread out.
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 28 2018
15:46 • 2 Orca
hunting, between Browns Bay and Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
One large bull and one medium dorsal fin.
15:26 • 2 Orca heading north near Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River. BC
Mon Aug 27 2018
16:43 • Orca heading south 0.5 miles west of Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
3 knots.
14:24 • Orca heading south off red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
11:21 • est. 12 Orca at Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Aug 28 2018
15:19 • 1 Humpback Whales heading towards Curme Islands, Desolation Sound.
15:15 • 3 Humpback Whales near Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Heard from a sailboat. ▫ Second Hand
15:14 • 1 Humpback Whales off Otter Island, Desolation Sound.
15:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north abeam the cell tower on Quadra Island in the middle of Sutil Channel.
15:13 • 3 Humpback Whales off Donegal Head, Malcolm Island, Queen Charlotte Strait.
15:13 • 2 Humpback Whales by Parson Island in Blackney Passage, Blackfish Sound.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:32 • est. 15 Humpback Whales around Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
12:31 • Humpback Whales
doing circles, between Flower Island and Whitebeach Passage, Blackfish Sound.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:00 • Humpback Whales at Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:54 • 2 Humpback Whales NW of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
11:43 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south one mile east of Mitlenatch Island.
11:10 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ off the pinnacles east of Grant Reefs, Malaspina Strait.
10:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Sliammon near Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
08:53 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0380 Zed / Zorro◦ one mile east of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
07:50 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Aug 27 2018
20:40 • 3-4 Humpback Whales heading south at Myrtle Point.
Another group.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
19:11 • 3 Humpback Whales between Center Islet and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
19:11 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
On the ferry line.
17:46 • est. 3-5 Humpback Whales
spread out, south of Subtle Islands.
16:52 • 2 Humpback Whales
back and forth, off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Big whales.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
16:28 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Big ones.
Wendy Heathcote, Powell River, BC
15:20 • 3 Humpback Whales
foraging, heading south mid-way between Myrtle Rocks and Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait.
10 minute dives. Animals stay very close together and dive at the same time. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
10:49 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island mid Sutil Channel.
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales 1 km southwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
09:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by sandbanks at Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north 200 m off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Sun Aug 26 2018
20:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Ripple Point in the middle of Johnstone Strait.
Humpback Whales
Humpback fluking off of Ripple Point
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 – 1 items
Humpback Whales
Humpback fluking off of Ripple Point
Sun, 26 Aug 2018 – 1 items
16:45 • Humpback Whales
breaching, south-east of Montgomery Bank, Georgia Strait.
14:39 • 2 Humpback Whales between Marina Reef and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
14:39 • 4 Humpback Whales between Marina Reef and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:26 • 4 Humpback Whales heading south from Subtle Islands toward Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
13:55 • 4 Humpback Whales south of the ferry line at Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
13:45 • 1 Humpback Whales 1.5 miles south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Sleeping.
13:26 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ just south of Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait.
And friend.
11:57 • 5 Humpback Whales off Sentry Shoal heading toward Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
11:30 • 3 Humpback Whales one mile south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:35 • 1-2 Humpback Whales in Carrington Bay.
10:28 • 1 Humpback Whales
doing circles, west side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
10:28 • 2 Humpback Whales
doing circles, off Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
10:24 • Humpback Whales about two miles west of Mitlenatch Island toward Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Very friendly.
09:58 • 2 Humpback Whales west side of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
09:30 • est. 6 Humpback Whales 700-m southwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
09:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Were heading east toward Carrington Bay but turned.
09:20 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales off the red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
A couple of groups.
07:40 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales
foraging, heading south out from Crescent Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Were heading north but turned.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Sat Aug 25 2018
19:06 • 3 Humpback Whales west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:54 • 2 Humpback Whales off Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
16:37 • 2 Humpback Whales north of Centre Islet.
14:15 • 8 Humpback Whales
breaching, off Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
13:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
12:11 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
12:08 • 2 Humpback Whales south of red can at Cortes Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:05 • 1 Humpback Whales at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
11:19 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Marina Reef abeam Baker Passage, Sutil Channel.
10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales west of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
09:23 • 3 Humpback Whales above Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel.
09:20 • Humpback Whales off the west side of Hornby Island, Lambert Channel.
Very active. ▫ Second Hand
09:11 • Humpback Whales above Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel.
08:53 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Center Islet, Sutil Channel.
08:46 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Wed Aug 22 2018
17:10 • 1 Humpback Whales by Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, heading north-west from Lund towards Mitlenatch Island, Malaspina Strait.
Large Humpbacks swimming in tandem. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PM & MEM, North Vancouver, BC
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west off the south end of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Tue Aug 21 2018
09:45 • 7 Humpback Whales between the buoy off Marina Reef and the buoy off Cortez Reef, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Aug 20 2018
16:30 • 5 Humpback Whales off the east side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jul 02 2018
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales
breaching, heading north-east just north of entrance to Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Breaching for about 10 minutes. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PM & MEM, North Vancouver, BC
MINKE WHALES
Tue Aug 28 2018
12:26 • Minke Whales
foraging, by Pearse Reefs, Cormorant Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Aug 16 2018
16:00 • est. 5-10 PWS Dolphins heading south-east mid channel at entrance to Tribune Channel.
Travelling in and out under the bow of our sailboat for about 10 minutes. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PM & MEM, North Vancouver, BC
DALLS PORPOISE
Sat Aug 25 2018
11:00 • Dalls Porpoise at entrance to Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Thu Aug 16 2018
16:00 • 1 Dalls Porpoise
travelling, heading north 1/2 way between Alert Bay and Knight Inlet, Blackfish Sound. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PM & MEM, North Vancouver, BC
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Mon Aug 20 2018
15:50 • Harbour Porpoise off the southeast side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
A pod of porpoise.
Radio, overheard or call out
SEA OTTERS
Sat Aug 25 2018
09:46 • Sea Otters across from Sheer Point, Hoskyn Channel.
Mon Aug 20 2018
13:30 • 1 Sea Otters half mile off the southwest end of Kinghorn Island, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out