Cetaceans during Autumn!

Autumn brings many visible changes around us on land and in the sea. Some species of Cetaceans may be moving as their prey moves to different locations with the onset of Fall. Other species may be migrating to warmer waters in advance of mating or calving. Despite these changes and movements of marine life, there are still significant number of whales and dolphins around B.C. A few pods of Transient Orca were observed in various waterways. Of note was a pod of Transient Orca that entered Departure Bay (Nanaimo) on November 1st and was visible from land as they were quite active at the surface. Many Humpback whales were in upper Georgia Strait and various inland channels. Some Humpbacks formed larger pods with 8 or 9 members, which could be cooperative behaviour to assist with foraging. Pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were reported, with a few pods that included around 100 members. Rounding our report are a few groups of Dalls’s porpoises.

The Federal Government (DFO) has issued the following statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”

WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.