Humpback Blows during Sunset!
Another year is finished and we are happy to let 2020 go into the sunset. We look forward to a better year in 2021 and from all of us in our organization, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year!
Many Humpback whales continue to stay around Powell River and the north end of Texada Island. Humpback whales were observed at various times of the day, including some in the late afternoon during the sunset allowing for some picture-perfect moments as whales surfaced and spouted. A number of pods of Orca were sighted from the Gulf Islands up to the North Coast. Two pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins and two pods of Dall’s porpoises were observed as well.
In our magazine section, read about how Narwhals are being affected in the Arctic ocean and how False Killer whales catch their prey mahi-mahi (a type of fish).
The Federal Government (DFO) 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.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
2021 Pacific White Sided Dolphin Calendar:
Thank you to Martin Ryer who is donating the proceeds from his 2021 calendar to WOWs. We appreciate your continued support! Click: information and ordering.
COVID-19 Updates:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We are all looking forward with optimism to better times in 2021. Stay safe and well.
Our Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, is scheduled for April 24, 2021. We can only hope that by then we will be able to hold a successful event. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
Instagram and Twitter:
Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. Follow us for regular updates and photos.
For Research:
For those doing research wanting to access 26,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
We are in the process of doing some major updates to our websites and welcome your comments and feedback.
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Live streaming Web Camera YouTube Channel from Powell River has a new mount for better viewing towards Texada – Vancouver Island – Savary and up towards Cortez. Hope you've been seeing the whales.
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 Over the next couple of months we are revamping our Job Postings in conjunction with our web sites. Please continue to let us know if you are interested in volunteering, we are looking at other opportunities.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-036
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri May 29 2020
15:10 • est. 3-4 Biggs Orca breaching, heading east on north shore of Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait. Repeated breaching. (Note: This sighting was submitted recently to WOWs eventhough it took place in May. -I.Ng). ▫ Observed from Shore
Douglas Scott, Gabriola Island, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales breaching by Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait
Fri, 29 May 2020 – 3 items
Douglas Scott, Gabriola Island, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales breaching by Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait
Fri, 29 May 2020 – 3 items
Douglas Scott, Gabriola Island, BC
Wed Dec 09 2020
13:37 • 3 Biggs Orca just east of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
Natalie Evans, Blind Channel Resort
Mon Dec 14 2020
07:45 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading east at Stimpson Reef west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait. One big fin.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Dec 15 2020
15:48 • est. 6 Biggs Orca heading south by Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
16:26 • Biggs Orca heading north-west towards Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Wed Dec 16 2020
11:50 • 4 Biggs Orca milling, at Vesuvius Bay, Salt Spring Island, Stuart Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Campbell River
Mon Dec 21 2020
08:20 • 4 Biggs Orca off Broken Islands, Havannah Channel. All small fins. Got a seal.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:15 • 2 Biggs Orca one mile offshore from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Medium sized whale (mother) with baby. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:16 • 5 Biggs Orca quite a way out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
10:16 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south off the park at Grief Point mid Malaspina Strait. No big fins.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading south near Grief Point
Mon, 21 Dec 2020 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading south near Grief Point
Mon, 21 Dec 2020 – 3 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 22 2020
13:09 • est. 4+ Biggs Orca heading north in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Riley Grantham, Wild Ocean Whale Society
13:44 • Biggs Orca taking long dives, heading north off the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper) mid Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Dec 25 2020
10:45 • est. 7 Biggs Orca heading south 3-4 miles off of Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 27 2020
08:10 • 1 Biggs Orca at the mouth of Call Inlet. Big fin.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading north by Westview, Powell River
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales heading north by Westview, Powell River
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 – 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca rainblow!
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Gizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca rainblow!
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Gizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sun Dec 20 2020
10:35 • est. 4 Orca heading north, Van Anda towards Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:25 • est. 6+ Orca heading south spread out below Van Anda off Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. 2 males, with 2 humpbacks.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:15 • 8 Orca heading south spread out in front of Myrtle Point towards Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. Including mom and calf.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 27 2020
14:00 • est. 3-5 Orca moving slowly, heading north off the north end of Troup Passage in Return Channel. Spy hopping, one was close to the shore. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
KS, Bella Bella, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca near Deer Pass, Return Channel
Sun, 27 Dec 2020 – 1 items
KS, Bella Bella, BC
Unidentified Killer Whales
Orca near Deer Pass, Return Channel
Sun, 27 Dec 2020 – 1 items
KS, Bella Bella, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Dec 07 2020
08:35 • Humpback Whales by Cutter Cove, Chatham Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Dec 09 2020
09:22 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales out a bit from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humbacks – BCX0380 Zed/Zorro & BCY0523 Graze – by Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 9 Dec 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humbacks – BCX0380 Zed/Zorro & BCY0523 Graze – by Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait
Wed, 9 Dec 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:24 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, out from Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
11:45 • est. 5-10 Humpback Whales heading north off Kye Bay, Comox, Georgia Strait. They were quite close to shore, in the shallower area (blue water) of Kye Bay. They were frolicking and then moved out to the deeper water (grey water) Then they were breaching and having a lot of fun. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dale and Brenda Clair, Kye Bay, BC
15:00 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south just below Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Thu Dec 10 2020
13:16 • 3 Humpback Whales just NW off Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Atrevida area.
Kim Lisberg, Lund, BC
13:16 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Heading towards Vivian Island.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Fri Dec 11 2020
09:28 • est. 2 Humpback Whales possibly feeding, between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
13:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north near Whisky Point, Saanich Inlet.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
14:22 • est. 2 Humpback Whales foraging, below Whalen Road, west of Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Moving slowly & peacefully, diving together, surfacing separately, then together again. ▫ Observed from Shore
14:22 • est. 2 Humpback Whales foraging, heading west, west of Black (Albion) Point. Moving slowly & peacefully, diving together. Surfacing separately and then coming together again. ▫ Observed from Shore
Perk Percy, Powell River, BC
14:34 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west in Lang Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michael Stewart, Powell River, BC
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading north-west between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Close to shore, perhaps 300 yards.
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
15:40 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales breaching, to the west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Observed from the Powell River Viewpoint. ▫ Observed from Shore
16:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north,center strait, between Myrtle Point and Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 12 2020
09:10 • est. 2 Humpback Whales splashing, heading north just south of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Possibly sealions with them.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north-east near Gillies Bay, Texada Island, Georgia Strait. The whale had a small dorsal fin near its tail and was taking long dives then swimming near the surface. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
BA & MH, Van Anda, Texada Island, BC
12:03 • 2 Humpback Whales at Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
12:15 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
13:39 • 1 Humpback Whales just off the south end of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:27 • 3 Humpback Whales between Coho (Kiddie) Point and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
14:30 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, towards Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Powell River viewpoint.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 15 2020
15:28 • est. 12+ Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. One tail fluke seen.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:26 • Humpback Whales near Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Thu Dec 17 2020
11:50 • 1 Humpback Whales not too far to the north of the light at Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Looks like it’s having a nap.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Powell River and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Heather Harbord, Powell River, BC
12:39 • 2 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading north halfway from Powell River Viewpoint to Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humbacks – BCY0172 Apollo – heading north by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humbacks – BCY0172 Apollo – heading north by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Thu, 17 Dec 2020 – 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales, one on either side of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Observed from Powell River Viewpoint. ▫ Observed from Shore
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sun Dec 20 2020
09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south, Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:14 • 2 Humpback Whales below Van Anda off Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
11:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south below Van Anda off Texada Island. with 6+ orca.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:44 • est. 6 Humpback Whales heading south along the east side of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.
Dan Sekerak, Powell River, BC
Mon Dec 21 2020
08:40 • Humpback Whales resting, off Cutter Cove, Chatham Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:30 • est. 1-2 Humpback Whales heading north between Van Anda and Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
15:53 • 4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
16:04 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales towards Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
16:04 • est. 3+ Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Tue Dec 22 2020
15:53 • 2 Humpback Whales back and forth, close to Atrevida Reef north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks near Atrevida Reef, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks near Atrevida Reef, Malaspina Strait
Tue, 22 Dec 2020 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 23 2020
13:22 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, halfway between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
16:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south close to shore at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Dec 27 2020
13:29 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south halfway between Scuttle Bay and Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks singing by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 4 Dec 2020 – 10 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks singing by Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait
Fri, 4 Dec 2020 – 10 items
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Dec 20 2020
08:45 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
11:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins Fawn Bluff. active.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALLS PORPOISE
Fri Dec 18 2020
12:52 • 10 Dalls Porpoise in Hemming Bay, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Dec 19 2020
10:05 • est. 10 Dalls Porpoise foraging, in front of Brem Bay, Toba Inlet.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES UNSURE
Thu Dec 17 2020
13:07 • Species Unsure heading south near seawalk parking in Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Whales observed, species unknown. ▫ Second Hand
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer navigates 25,000+ Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings. Please use the the funnel in our Map for access to our huge range of filters. Those wishing Research information in a spreadsheet format, please Click Here
*Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices
Archive Explorer dives into the Coastal Cetacean world. View Cetacean sighting locations, photos and videos:
- All species including Orca, Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
- Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
- Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
- Witness a close-up Orca encounter video in Port Alberni harbour
- Follow the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
- Track "KC", the ever popular Humpback's movements
- Locate any of 12,000+ named locations on the BC and WA State coast
- Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Archive Explorer Help Page explains many advanced functions
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
To access 25,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a research spreadsheet, please Click Here.
The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
ForTheWin
Researchers in Hawaii have captured footage showing a false killer whale ambushing a large mahi-mahi with a spectacular breach.
"One of many predation events documented by our team while working with the endangered population of false killer whales in the Maui Nui area!" Cascadia Research Collective wrote Friday on Facebook, asking viewers to turn on the volume….
read on
ForTheWin
A tourist in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, has shared footage showing a humpback whale and her calf swimming beneath a boat and seemingly bumping the vessel hard enough to knock a man overboard….
read on
read on
1 News – TVNZ (New Zealand)
Ross Willis said he, his wife Chrissy, 15-year-old daughter Emily and her 15-year-old friend Milly Askew were out boating around Omaha Beach and Kawau Island on Monday when he spotted a fin in the distance.
Ross said they’d seen plenty of dolphins out on the water but when they realised the creatures were orcas, they followed them from a distance between 12.30pm and 1pm….
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
The New York Times
Weighing up to 380,000 pounds and stretching some 100 feet long, the blue whale – the largest creature to have ever lived on Earth – might at first seem difficult for human eyes and ears to miss.
But a previously unknown population of the leviathans has long been lurking in the Indian Ocean, leaving scientists none the wiser, new research suggests….
read on
Nunatsiaq News
Researchers have found evidence to suggest increased marine traffic is stressing out narwhals.
A new study, discussed on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the ArcticNet science conference, has found the stress hormone cortisol increased in the marine mammals by 200 per cent after more vessels started visiting Eclipse Sound, near Pond Inlet, after 2006….
read on