Cetaceans Observed from Johnstone Strait to Victoria
Many sightings of whales and dolphins have taken place in Johnstone Strait, upper Georgia Strait, Discovery Passage, and other inside waterways. Northern Resident Killer Whales have been sighted more frequently during the past week. Harbour porpoises were seen in various areas and one Minke whale made a rare appearance in Saanich Inlet. As usual, our report includes many sightings of Humpback Whales and Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales.
Ivan Ng, Volunteer, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Ivan Ng, Volunteer, Wild Ocean Whale Society
T65As on the hunt in Boundary Pass
Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver
Society News & Events
A reminder to all out on the water to be very aware of any Whales, Dolphins or Porpoise. Slow down around them. Better yet, if you find yourself closer to any of these wonderful animals than the guidelines allow, put the boat into neutral and enjoy watching them as you drift. Please pay attention boaters!
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published each week.
Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
We are also preparing for our first Real Time Monitoring Station and will be posting additional callout for Volunteers in this regard.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-023
TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES
Tue Jul 26 2016
13:30 • Bigg`s Orca heading West of Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦T002C2 Tumbo; T101s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:53 • Bigg`s Orca heading West off Vansittart Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦T101s◦
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:15 • Bigg`s Orca heading West off Bear Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦T101s; T102s; T002C2 Tumbo◦ Travelling at 5 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
07:54 • Bigg`s Orca heading North off Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
07:20 • 6-7 Bigg`s Orca heading North off Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jul 25 2016
19:38 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North towards the Cape Mudge Fishing Hump off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
18:33 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading South just South of Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. ◦T051◦ A male and a female. ▫ Observed from Shore
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jul 23 2016
17:40 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading South off the West end of Savary Island, Georgia Strait. ◦T51◦ Female in group.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
16:38 • Bigg`s Orca heading East at Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:03 • Bigg`s Orca heading South off of Smelt Bay, Sutil Channel. Female in the group.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T51 heading South by Smelt Bay
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T51 heading South by Smelt Bay
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:34 • Bigg`s Orca heading South rounded Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Sticking close to rocks.
14:00 • Bigg`s Orca moving quickly, heading South off of Marina Island towards Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
13:55 • Bigg`s Orca 1km off of Marina Island bound for Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:42 • Bigg`s Orca off of the West side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
11:56 • Bigg`s Orca heading South at King Islets, Hoskyn Channel. ◦T51◦ Female in the group.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
06:00 • 6-7 Bigg`s Orca heading South past Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
Fri Jul 22 2016
18:31 • Bigg`s Orca heading South mid-strait at Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦T46Bs◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T46B in the middle of Johnstone Strait by Hickey Point
Fri, 22 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safari
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T46B in the middle of Johnstone Strait by Hickey Point
Fri, 22 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safari
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
14:47 • Bigg`s Orca heading East mid-strait off Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait. ◦T46Bs◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T46Bs with a new calf at Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
Fri, 22 Jul 2016 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T46Bs with a new calf at Robson Bight Ecological Reserve
Fri, 22 Jul 2016 – 1 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Thu Jul 21 2016
19:00 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South-West top of Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
16:36 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South in the middle of Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
14:45 • Bigg`s Orca heading South-East South of Sentry Shoal towards Texada Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:28 • Bigg`s Orca heading South 3 miles South of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ◦T002C2 Tumbo; T101s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T101s and Tumbo off of Mitlenatch Island
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T101s and Tumbo off of Mitlenatch Island
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:25 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading East between Mitlenatch Island and Shelter Point, Georgia Strait. ◦T101s and T102s◦
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:04 • Bigg`s Orca West of Pam Rock, Howe Sound. ▫ On Scene
09:58 • Bigg`s Orca heading South between Anvil Island and Gambier Island, Howe Sound.
Jilann Lechner, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
07:35 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading South in front of Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦T101s◦ ▫ On Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T101s in front of Cape Mudge Village
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T101s in front of Cape Mudge Village
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
07:04 • Bigg`s Orca heading South in front of Painters Lodge, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
Wed Jul 20 2016
19:45 • 1 Bigg`s Orca heading South at No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. ◦T002C2 Tumbo◦
19:00 • Bigg`s Orca heading West at Dent Island, Dent Rapids. ◦T101s; T102s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
12:54 • 4 Bigg`s Orca spread out, heading East on the East side of Hill Island towards Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ◦T101s;T102s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:03 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North mid-way up Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ◦T101s◦
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
09:18 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North-East on the North side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. 3 males, 1 female from T101 and T102 groups.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T101s and T102s hanging around Mitlenatch Island
Wed, 20 Jul 2016 – 4 items
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T101s and T102s hanging around Mitlenatch Island
Wed, 20 Jul 2016 – 4 items
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
–:– • Bigg`s Orca in Boundary Pass. ◦T65As◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T65As hunting in Boundary Pass
Wed, 20 Jul 2016 – 5 items
Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
T65As hunting in Boundary Pass
Wed, 20 Jul 2016 – 5 items
Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Ts feeding on a Dall’s Porpoise in Hoskyn’s Channel
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 – 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales
Ts feeding on a Dall’s Porpoise in Hoskyn’s Channel
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 – 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Mon Jul 25 2016
14:00 • NRKW Orca heading West at Lizard Point, Queen Charlotte Strait. ◦A23s; A25s; A42s◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 24 2016
16:02 • NRKW Orca bucking tide, heading North-West off of Brasseau Bay swimming towards Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦A5s; A42s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A5s and A42s off of Brasseau Bay
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Tina Kuschel, Discovery Marine Safari
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A5s and A42s off of Brasseau Bay
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Tina Kuschel, Discovery Marine Safari
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
14:34 • NRKW Orca rubbing, at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s;A23s;A25s◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A42s, A23s and A25s rubbing at Camp Point
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A42s, A23s and A25s rubbing at Camp Point
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 – 9 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:42 • NRKW Orca escorting Pacific White Sided dolphins out of the Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:54 • NRKW Orca at Davis Point, Nodales Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
07:53 • NRKW Orca heading East at Davis Point. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jul 23 2016
08:58 • NRKW Orca in Okisollo Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jul 21 2016
15:07 • NRKW Orca heading West along the shore between Windy Point and Adam River, Johnstone Strait. ◦A5s◦ Travelling 3 knots.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A23s and A25s between Windy Point and Adam Rive
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safari
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A23s and A25s between Windy Point and Adam Rive
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safari
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:02 • NRKW Orca travelling, heading West off Camp Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦A5s◦ Moving at 6 knots.
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
10:30 • NRKW Orca heading West at Tyee Point in the middle of Johnstone Strait.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
08:36 • 6-7 NRKW Orca heading West at Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Jul 20 2016
18:36 • 4 NRKW Orca heading North at Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
16:43 • 4 NRKW Orca bucking tide, heading North off of Harbott Point North of Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel.
Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort
16:43 • 2 NRKW Orca heading South half way between Ripple Point and Vansittart Point, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Jul 26 2016
15:00 • SRKW Orca heading North off Sand Heads, Georgia Strait. ◦J pod◦
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Jul 26 2016
10:05 • 5-10 Orca breaching, heading South-East at Ajax Bank East of Comox, Georgia Strait. Far from Savary Island, close to Ajax bank. See blows and breaching. Multiple whales but cannot make out species yet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Paul Sewell , Savary Island Tourist
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jul 25 2016
18:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North 0.5-nm North of Yaculta, Discovery Passage.
Dustin Luchak, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
17:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South approaching Quathiaski Cove 100-m off Quadra Island shore Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦ With the tide. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:47 • 3 Humpback Whales near Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:46 • 3 Humpback Whales heading South at Ripple Rock, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
13:11 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
13:11 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South into Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
13:03 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, at Separation Head, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:51 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South mid-channel, approaching Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:18 • Humpback Whales heading South at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:44 • Humpback Whales mid-strait in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
09:04 • 2 Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Working the back-eddy.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:43 • Humpback Whales at Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
08:10 • 2 Humpback Whales at Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 24 2016
20:37 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South along the the Quadra Island shore line, at Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
19:31 • 2 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading North at Copper Bluffs about 200 meters off the shore of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:06 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, at Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:59 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South through Seymour Narrows close to the Quadra Island shore, approaching Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:34 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:43 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel near Separation Head, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Kaitlin Ross, Sonora Resort
13:11 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off of Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ron Johnston, Savary Island, BC
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North at Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North mid-channel, abeam Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
09:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South on the South side of Whiskey Point. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
08:34 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South mid-channel, in between Quathiaski Cove and April Point, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
08:32 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North mid-channel, in between Quathiaski Cove and April Point. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
07:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading South just South of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. 3 blows were seen. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jul 23 2016
17:30 • 1 Humpback Whales at Grant Reefs.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
10:13 • 2 Humpback Whales almost at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:49 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North off of Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:00 • 1 Humpback Whales off the South-West corner of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Ron Johnston, Savary Island, BC
08:33 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South mid straight off of Copper Cliffs, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
06:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North off of Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
Fri Jul 22 2016
16:15 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:40 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, North of Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South in Seymour Narrows near the Vancouver Island Shore, Discovery Passage. Doing 4 knots. Travelling with the tide.
12:58 • 2 Humpback Whales at green light at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Jordan McLean, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
09:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South in Deepwater Bay towards Separation Head, Discovery Passage.
Thu Jul 21 2016
19:15 • 1 Humpback Whales at Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
16:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South in Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial near Rock Bay
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial near Rock Bay
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:04 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading East off Rock Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
16:01 • 2 Humpback Whales at Little Bear Bay, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales between Comox and Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Saw one tail and one surfacing. Great to know they are close. ▫ From Ferry
13:33 • 2-3 Humpback Whales breaching, viewed from the ferry from Comox, Georgia Strait. Observed from a distance. ▫ From Ferry
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East 2-km East of Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC◦ 4 knots with the tide. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:36 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading East at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
11:49 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East off Peterson Islet, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC◦
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
–:– • Humpback Whales breaching, viewed from the ferry from Comox, Georgia Strait. Long way out South this morning. ▫ From Ferry
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial
Sat, 23 Jul 2016 – 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
MINKE WHALES
Sat Jul 23 2016
14:45 • 1 Minke Whales taking long dives, heading South near McKenzie Bight, Finlayson Arm. Observed from boat. ▫ On Scene
Connie Jamirson, Brentwood bay
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Jul 26 2016
15:25 • 20 PWS Dolphins off Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:03 • 20 PWS Dolphins off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jul 25 2016
14:55 • 20 PWS Dolphins close to Sonora Island between Sonora Point and Davis Point, Nodales Channel. Super active.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:15 • 12 PWS Dolphins near Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Jul 24 2016
10:42 • PWS Dolphins heading out of Nodales Channel. Travelling with Northern Resident Orca.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jul 23 2016
14:59 • 20 PWS Dolphins between Gomer Island and Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
13:03 • PWS Dolphins by Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:37 • PWS Dolphins by Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jul 22 2016
12:25 • 75 PWS Dolphins heading East near mouth of Loughborough Inlet, Chancellor Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jul 21 2016
19:05 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading East off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Painter’s Lodge, Campbell River
14:32 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading East off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
PWS off of Kelsey Bay
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safari
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
PWS off of Kelsey Bay
Thu, 21 Jul 2016 – 3 items
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safari
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Jul 26 2016
14:03 • 10 Harbour Porpoise off Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Jul 25 2016
17:35 • 2 Harbour Porpoise doing circles, off the Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. One logged for a few minutes.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
Wed Jul 20 2016
13:10 • 3 Harbour Porpoise, Drew Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-023
SUBMIT sightings
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
VANCOUVER – Whale watching companies in the Salish Sea report unusually large groups of humpback whales are becoming a frequent sight off B.C.’s south coast.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association says the number of whales is unprecedented around the southern end of Vancouver Island.
Association executive director Michael Harris says humpback whales were a rare sight off the south coast just 20 years ago, but have become increasingly common over the last three or four years. Whales usually travel in groups of two or three, but the latest sightings are unique because they are in groups of up to 20, mirroring conditions he says occur only off Alaska or Hawaii.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association says the number of whales is unprecedented around the southern end of Vancouver Island.
Association executive director Michael Harris says humpback whales were a rare sight off the south coast just 20 years ago, but have become increasingly common over the last three or four years. Whales usually travel in groups of two or three, but the latest sightings are unique because they are in groups of up to 20, mirroring conditions he says occur only off Alaska or Hawaii.
ABC News, San-Francisco, CA
Kayakers in San Francisco Bay spotted the whales, who were most likely feeding on herring in the area.
TTG Media, UK
The Whale Heritage Site (WHS) scheme was established by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA) in January 2016. It aims to promote sustainable tourism in areas popular with whale watching, and has recently signed up a range of new destinations that see value in the partnership, which will help them protect whales, dolphins and porpoises in their natural habitat.
Three out of the 12 applicants have so far been approved to start the auditing process to become a Whale Heritage Site: Vancouver Island North, Canada; Port Stephens in Australia; and Hervey Bay, also in Australia.
Jared Towers, administrator for the North Island Marine Mammal Stewardship Association, is pleased that Vancouver Island North has been approved for ….
San Juan Islander, WA
On July 15, 2016 a few miles northeast of Dungeness Spit, WA a crew aboard the Chilkat Express saw and captured photographs and video of an adult fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), the second-largest creature to ever roam the Earth behind the blue whale.
In September of last year, the same crew from Puget Sound Express Whale Watching were credited for the sighting of a juvenile fin whale south of…
The Washington Post, DC
Some years ago – about 15, experts say – a humpback whale was born in the Northern Pacific Ocean. In the wild and distant seas she amassed her island bulk out of sight of humans. She was, as Herman Melville once wrote, "a denizen of the deep."
And then, one evening last summer, the whale suddenly erupted from the ocean off the coast of Newport Beach, Calif. For more than a month, the leviathan – now 45 feet in length – dazzled whale watchers with her powerful tail and playful demeanor.
Mistaking her for a male, an enamored whale watcher named her Wally after his favorite baseball player.
When another whale watcher filmed a rainbow form in her water spout, Wally became an Internet sensation.
Then, she disappeared back into the depths.
When she reemerged earlier this month, it was under much less majestic circumstances…..
CANADA
CBC News Video
Ian Francis Walsh spent Monday filming the waters near Mobile, just south of St. John’s, when he spotted some large humpbacks breaching in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.
Joining the whales in the video are various seabirds, including the famous Newfoundland puffins, all frolicking around near the Newfoundland coast.
With his quadcopter and high-definition camera, Walsh captured a view of the mammal that is rarely seen by the human eye.
CBC News Nova Scotia
Three men from Digby who rescued a whale entangled in a net say it seemed like the animal swam to shore in search of help.
?”I just happened to stop what I was doing for a minute, and I heard something in the water,” Kenley said. “So I looked behind me and I seen a little dorsal fin in the water.”
Kenley got up from under the boat he was working on and realized it was a whale at least 15 feet long. It was swimming close to shore in waist-deep water and had fish netting tangled around its mouth. The netting had kelp growing on it….
?”I just happened to stop what I was doing for a minute, and I heard something in the water,” Kenley said. “So I looked behind me and I seen a little dorsal fin in the water.”
Kenley got up from under the boat he was working on and realized it was a whale at least 15 feet long. It was swimming close to shore in waist-deep water and had fish netting tangled around its mouth. The netting had kelp growing on it….
INTERNATIONAL
The Guardian, UK
A federal appeals court ruled that the US Navy was wrongly allowed to use sonar in the nation’s oceans that could harm whales and other marine life.
The ninth circuit court of appeals reversed a lower court decision upholding approval granted in 2012 for the Navy to use low-frequency sonar for training, testing and routine operations.
The ninth circuit court of appeals reversed a lower court decision upholding approval granted in 2012 for the Navy to use low-frequency sonar for training, testing and routine operations.
Gizmodo
It sounds like something out of a children’s animated film: the whale and the seal, at first put off by their differences, team up and become best friends. It’s like The Fox and the Hound but maybe less depressing?
There have been instances of humpback whales coming to the aid of seals being attacked by killer whales, and scientists are baffled. Interspecies altruism is adorable when it’s framed as a "cute animal friends" special on Animal Planet, but in the wild, it’s rare. Even so, there have been multiple sightings of humpback whales getting into fights with killer whales when there’s a seal present, making it seem like they’re actually protecting the seal…..
Stuff, NZ
A pod of rare whales was spotted off Dunedin’s coast – the first such sighting in New Zealand waters.
The Shepherd’s Beaked Whales were spotted from a University of Otago Research vessel in late June.
The Shepherd’s Beaked Whale, Tasmacetus shepherdii, is one of the least known cetaceans in the world, and was previously known from only nine confirmed sightings in the world of live members of the species, and 55 strandings of dead whales….
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