Spring and Cetaceans have arrived!
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Cover Image:
Transient Orca by Separation Head on Quadra Island
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River, BC
Spring has arrived and so have the Cetaceans! Cetaceans have been observed with a higher frequency during the past couple of weeks, and will continue to increase as the season progresses. Sunny and calm weather certainly makes it easier to to spot whales and dolphins. Transient Orca have appeared in many waterways such as Johnstone Strait, Calm Channel, Discovery Passage, Malaspina Strait, Georgia Strait, and Howe Sound. One pod of Orca was seen killing a sea lion, and in a different setting, a few Orca were observed breaching. Many Orca reported were classified as unidentified due to insufficient information.
The number of sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins have increased, and the pod sizes ranged from 6 up to 200 animals. Some of these dolphins were observed to mill around in an area while other dolphins were observed foraging. A rare sighting of Risso’s dolphins took place near Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Only two Humpback whales were spotted. Rounding our report are sightings of Dall’s porpoise and Harbour porpoise.
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
Presentation: Making a Splash Thursday, March 28. 2:30 pm
Presented by: Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
At Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, North Vancouver, BC
Whales, dolphins, and sea lions, oh my! Discover who's swimming in the waters around Vancouver. There will also be an optional marine wildlife field-trip associated with this presentation. Saturday, March 30. 10 am to 12 pm at Whytecliff Park.
At Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, North Vancouver, BC
Whales, dolphins, and sea lions, oh my! Discover who's swimming in the waters around Vancouver. There will also be an optional marine wildlife field-trip associated with this presentation. Saturday, March 30. 10 am to 12 pm at Whytecliff Park.
World of Whales Dinner Event at Dwight Hall, Powell River April 27
Complete Information and online ticket purchasing is available through our website at our World of Whales Dinner pages, or Stores: Hindle's Gifts, Mandeville Financial, Capone's Cellar, or at our information tables at Town Centre Mall: March 21 & 28 and Quality Foods: April 4, 11 & 18.
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: A number of lesson activities and resources are now available on our website for download as needed for your classes.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We appreciate your patience with the intermittent bouncy images from the Beach Gardens Marina camera. Our backup live stream mounted in Powell River appears when the Beach Gardens camera is down.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
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?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Not listed in our job postings is our immediate need for IT support. Please contact Susan@…org for details.
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Not listed in our job postings is our immediate need for IT support. Please contact Susan@…org for details.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-007
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Mar 13 2019
08:49 • 4+ Biggs Orca between Twin Islands and Baker Passage, Malaspina Strait. 1 large fin.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River, BC
10:43 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca foraging, by Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transients by Rebecca Rocks
Wed, 13 Mar 2019 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transients by Rebecca Rocks
Wed, 13 Mar 2019 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River
11:00 • est. 8 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south-east, north of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. 2 groups quite close together. ▫ Observed from Shore
Brian Voth, Lund, BC
11:10 • Biggs Orca heading north angling towards Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:51 • est. 2-3 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading south, north east of Ballenas Islands, Georgia Strait.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
13:08 • Biggs Orca off the south-east side of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Blows and splashes observed from Powell River.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:39 • Biggs Orca heading north at Tyee Spit near Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:12 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading south by Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. All Orca had small fins.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River, BC
16:03 • est. 8+ Biggs Orca breaching and tail-lobbing, heading south by Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Spread out.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
17:15 • est. 12 Biggs Orca by Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Mar 14 2019
07:30 • Biggs Orca heading south by Big Rock close to Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Close to shore.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:10 • 1 Biggs Orca heading south passing by Fisherman’s Wharf in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. The Orca has a large V on the rear side of it’s dorsal fin about half way down the length of the fin, assumed to be an old boat injury. ▫ Second Hand
Brianna England, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:44 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south just south of Hidden Harbour close to the shore of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:30 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125A,T128◦ passing by Willow Point near Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Two males.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Fri Mar 15 2019
10:31 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north at 50th Parallel Marker in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Male with the chunk out of his fin.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:35 • est. 2+ Biggs Orca travelling, heading west off Hopkins Landing, Collingwood Channel. Difficult to tell how many but seeing 2 at a time surfacing enough to see the black and white markings. ▫ Observed from Shore
Kerry Jess, Gibsons, BC
Sat Mar 16 2019
07:54 • est. 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. One big male and 2 small fins, maybe a female and a little one. ▫ Second Hand
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
08:33 • est. 10+ Biggs Orca heading north at Orange Point, Discovery Passage. Few big fins.
09:55 • Biggs Orca heading north through Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:15 • est. 18 Biggs Orca ◦T010s,T123s◦ at Separation Head on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca, T010s & 123s, off of Separation Head on Quadra Island
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 – 3 items
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca, T010s & 123s, off of Separation Head on Quadra Island
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 – 3 items
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River, BC
14:09 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north at Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:14 • Biggs Orca ◦T087◦ heading north at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca – T087 northbound by Grief Point
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca – T087 northbound by Grief Point
Sat, 16 Mar 2019 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:53 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T087◦ heading south-west between Powell River and Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. Female with two calves.
15:54 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T087◦ taking long dives, heading west from Rebecca Rocks towards Comox, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:00 • Biggs Orca heading west off Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Tue Mar 19 2019
08:35 • 4 Biggs Orca heading north, Poyntz Island, Sunderland Channel. Small fins.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:39 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ just by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
11:39 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca circling between Sliammon and Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
12:18 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s,T019B Galiano◦ off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. Killing a sea lion.
13:00 • Biggs Orca heading south 3/4 miles off the beach between Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) and Sliammon, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Mar 24 2019
10:06 • Biggs Orca at Bullock Bluff at the north end of Cortes Island, Calm Channel. A pod of Orca possibly heading north into Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:26 • Biggs Orca heading north just past Raza Point, Raza Passage. Moving along the Raza shoreline.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
14:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T010s◦ at the head of Ramsay Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca by Harwood Island Spit
Tue, 19 Mar 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Orca by Harwood Island Spit
Tue, 19 Mar 2019 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sun Mar 10 2019
15:00 • 4 Orca breaching, heading west in between Langdale and Keats Island, Collingwood Channel. Two out front including 1 large fin, and two other Orca following of which one was significantly smaller. ▫ Observed from Shore
JB, Vancouver, BC
Wed Mar 13 2019
16:20 • est. 10 Orca heading south just south of Winchelsea Islands, Georgia Strait. 1 large fin.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Mar 16 2019
18:45 • est. 8+ Orca spread out, between Keats Island and Bowen Island, Collingwood Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
Sun Mar 17 2019
08:50 • est. 7 Orca heading south between Yaculta and Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Discovery Passage. Closer to Quadra Island shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jo Hoeflok, Campbell River, BC
09:18 • Orca heading south at Cape Mudge Lighthouse pointed at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Observed 2 big fins and some little ones too.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River, BC
20:05 • est. 4-5 Orca heading south at Cordero Lodge NE of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Mar 18 2019
11:45 • Orca off Point Holmes southeast of the airport at Comox, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:02 • Orca at Myrtle Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Circling pebble beach. Could also be another raft of sea lions. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Mar 20 2019
08:00 • est. 4-5 Orca circling, by Helmcken Island in Race Passage, Johnstone Strait.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
Sat Mar 23 2019
18:23 • est. 6 Orca off Kye Bay, Comox, Georgia Strait.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
19:04 • est. 5-6 Orca heading north at Point Holmes southeast of the airport at Comox, Georgia Strait. Heading back to Kye Bay area.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Mar 24 2019
–:– • Orca heading north-east in Malaspina Strait. Large pod observed in the evening.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Mar 19 2019
10:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Hans Lammers, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Mar 21 2019
17:00 • 1 Humpback Whales at Glendale Cove, Knight Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Mar 13 2019
14:41 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins south of Brem Bay, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Fri Mar 15 2019
11:49 • PWS Dolphins in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:55 • est. 10 PWS Dolphins milling at the west end of Chancellor Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
18:34 • est. 30-50 PWS Dolphins foraging, between Van Anda and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Mar 17 2019
14:21 • PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Small group of lags. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided Dolphins in front of Powell River Viewpoint
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided Dolphins in front of Powell River Viewpoint
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 – 6 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:12 • PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Powell River Viewpoint. A few more dolphins. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Mon Mar 18 2019
08:40 • PWS Dolphins by Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. Small group. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided Dolphins by Powell River Ferry Terminal
Mon, 18 Mar 2019 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided Dolphins by Powell River Ferry Terminal
Mon, 18 Mar 2019 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
08:55 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins playing, heading south at Knox Bay, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. Very playful.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:28 • est. 12 PWS Dolphins foraging, heading south off Myrtle Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
10:59 • 6 PWS Dolphins foraging, near the Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Robyn Doucette, Powell River, BC
11:00 • est. 6 PWS Dolphins foraging, midway between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Taking long dives, moving back and forth in the area. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
13:31 • PWS Dolphins foraging, close to Sliammon north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. A large pod.
Heather Armstrong, Powell River, BC
13:59 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:37 • PWS Dolphins between Powell River Viewpoint and Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC
15:43 • est. 40-50 PWS Dolphins heading north by Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
15:43 • est. 25+ PWS Dolphins north of Willingdon Beach, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
16:08 • PWS Dolphins heading north off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Large pod turned when a boat rushed up to them. ▫ Observed from Shore
Win Brown, Powell River, BC
16:20 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins milling, abeam Bear Bight near West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. On the West Thurlow Shore.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
18:31 • PWS Dolphins across from Humpback Bay near West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Mar 19 2019
08:47 • PWS Dolphins at bottom end of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Large group.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
17:00 • est. 10 – 15 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading west close to shore of Lang Bay south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michael Stewart, Powell River, BC
18:23 • PWS Dolphins heading north from Black (Albion) Point towards Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
Wed Mar 20 2019
14:50 • PWS Dolphins at the bottom of Deer Passage. Large pod. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided Dolphins at the bottom of Deer Passage
Wed, 20 Mar 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific white-sided Dolphins at the bottom of Deer Passage
Wed, 20 Mar 2019 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Thu Mar 21 2019
19:30 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins west of Knox Bay on West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Mar 22 2019
09:00 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins north of Snout Point, Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Sat Mar 23 2019
14:32 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins heading north, Calm Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Mar 24 2019
11:05 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins at Heriot Bay heading into Drew Harbour.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
RISSOS DOLPHINS
Sun Mar 17 2019
11:01 • Rissos Dolphins off of Tofino, Pacific Ocean.
Doug Martin, Port Moody, BC
Rissos Dolphins
Rissos Dolphins off of Tofino, BC
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 – 1 items
Doug Martin, Port Moody, BC
Rissos Dolphins
Rissos Dolphins off of Tofino, BC
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 – 1 items
Doug Martin, Port Moody, BC
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Mar 13 2019
14:41 • Dalls Porpoise in Toba Inlet. Large group.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Tue Mar 19 2019
16:20 • Dalls Porpoise by Knox Bay, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait. Small group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Mar 20 2019
14:50 • 30 Dalls Porpoise throughout all of Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Thu Mar 21 2019
17:00 • est. 15 Dalls Porpoise at Glendale Cove, Knight Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Mar 22 2019
09:00 • est. 20+ Dalls Porpoise throughout Toba Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Sat Mar 23 2019
17:30 • est. 20 Dalls Porpoise milling just north of the dock at Blind Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Mar 24 2019
11:07 • est. 8 Dalls Porpoise heading north at Henrietta Point, Stuart Island, Bute Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Mon Mar 25 2019
12:30 • est. 10 Dalls Porpoise travelling, heading north near Bell Buoy 4 off Point Grey, Vancouver, Georgia Strait. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Maurizio Hublitz, Burnaby, BC
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Fri Mar 15 2019
12:01 • 2 Harbour Porpoise off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Mar 18 2019
11:30 • est. 8 Harbour Porpoise foraging, heading south off the Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait. Doing doughnuts. ▫ Observed from Shore
John Craven, Powell River, BC
SPECIES UNSURE
Sat Mar 23 2019
18:23 • Species Unsure heading north off Deep Bay heading into Baynes Sound. ▫ Second Hand
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Mon Mar 25 2019
13:29 • 1 Species Unsure heading north in Discovery Passage. Either a lone female Orca or a Minke – didn’t get a good look.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
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The Magazine
REGIONAL
Global News
An endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW) that researchers fear could die by this summer has been spotted alive and in slightly better condition than expected….
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WEST COAST + NATIONAL
CBC
Beluga whale females and calves have been washing up on the shores of the St. Lawrence River at alarming rates for more than a decade, and scientists don’t know why. But a group of researchers in Quebec has been offered a two-year grant to get to the bottom of the endangered cetaceans’ unexplained mortality rate….
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INTERNATIONAL
Mother Nature Network
The vaquita is rapidly vanishing. Its population has fallen by 98 percent since 2011, leading scientists to warn it could be extinct as early as this year. The roughly 100 vaquitas that still existed in 2014 were down to just 30 by 2017. And in early 2018, conservationist Andrea Crosta told Mongabay the species’ total population may have fallen as low as 12 individual vaquitas. Now in 2019, that number has dropped to 10 based on annual acoustic monitoring….
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The New York Times
Salvatore Cerchio stunned the small world of whale science in 2015 when he found examples of a new species in the wild for the first time. Now, he’s mapped the habitat of that species, called Omura’s whale after Hideo Omura, a prominent Japanese whale biologist. The surprise in the new study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, is that Omura’s whales, though little seen, are widespread across the tropical world….
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