Humpbacks and Transient Bigg’s Taking Centre Stage Still

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Humpbacks and Transient Bigg’s Taking Centre Stage Still

July 5, 2016   —   issue No. 2016-020

Resident Humpback Whales KC and Arial keep having a good time still in Discovery Passage. Southern Resident J-pod had stayed out of the Georgia Strait, but have finally come back into our inner waters – more in the next report. More Transient Bigg’s Orca are showing up, but the T002Cs are staying around their favourite Desolation Sound areas. Rumour of a new calf for one of the Transient Bigg’s pods, details in the next report with photos. Pacfic White Sided Dolphins have been spending their time avoiding the Transient Bigg’s by keeping to the inlets. Dall’s and Harbour Porpoise round out this report.

I think we all agree that our group of volunteers have done another great job in preparing this Sightings Report Update and Maps for everyone. Our Magazine Editor has also managed to gather the best of informative pieces to do with Cetacea once again. The Magazine is scheduled to be on a break while we are in the full on boating season and loaded with sightings reports. Keep those reports coming in!

A reminder to boaters and to those of you who know boaters, to be very aware of any Whales, Dolphins or Porpoise and Slow Down, especially around them. Better yet, if you find yourself close to any of these wonderful animals, put the boat into neutral and enjoy watching them as you drift. We had word of yet another possible boat striking a Humpback Whale, with no confirmation at this time. Please pay attention boaters!

Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society


One of the T002Cs breaching in Okeover Inlet

Society News & Events
Summer 2016 Raffle: Thank you all for your support!
Our winners were drawn July 1st at the Canada Day celebrations in Powell River. The Winners are:
1. Pacific Coastal flights – Linda Springles, Campbell River
2. Stubbs Island WW Tour plus BC Ferries pass – Jacquie Marsh, Mill Bay
3. Campbell River WW – Keisha Moore, Powell River
4. Eagle Eye Adventures – Rob Hood, New Westminster
5. Discovery Marine Safaris – Jack McGuire, Savary Island
6. Beyond the Road Tours – Karen Fitzsimmons, a UK visitor
7. I’Hos Cultural Tours – Dawn Adaszynski, Powell River

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.

Review our current Volunteer Job Postings

DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society

Sightings Update


SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-020

SIGHTINGS LOCATIONS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES


Mon Jul 04 2016

14:42 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North in Agnew Passage, Jervis Inlet. Two of them looked to be calves.

Jana Visser, Island Sky Ferry

14:05 • 4 Bigg`s Orca Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. No direction given. ▫ Second Hand

13:09 • 10 Bigg`s Orca breaching, Lee Bay at the entrance to Pender Harbour, Malaspina Strait. Was not a clear transmission, so not 100% sure of exact location.

Radio, overheard or call out

12:29 • Bigg`s Orca heading West East Point, Boundary Pass. ?J Pod?


Sat Jul 02 2016

16:11 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North through Blackney Passage and up behind Swanson Island, Blackfish Sound. ?T073As? T073A1 has sprouted and we believe was the male in that group. These Orca were off Sophia Islands earlier in the day.

Roger McDonell, Discovery Marine Safaris

12:25 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading West at Sophia Islands, Johnstone Strait. ?T073As?

11:48 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading West leaving Boat Bay, Johnstone Strait.

11:39 • 3 Bigg`s Orca at Boat Bay.

10:04 • Bigg`s Orca 1 mile above Seymour Landing, Queen Charlotte Channel.

10:01 • Bigg`s Orca heading West at Robson Bight, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Radio Report


Fri Jul 01 2016

17:32 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading South off Hoskyn Rock, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

17:15 • 4 Bigg`s Orca at Bold Island, Hoskyn Channel.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

17:08 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading West at Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.

16:35 • Bigg`s Orca at Discovery Islands Lodge South of Surge Narrows, Hoskyn Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

Ts in Hoskyn Channel

Fri, 1 Jul 2016 – 9 items










SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

Ts in Hoskyn Channel

Fri, 1 Jul 2016 – 9 items

16:35 • Bigg`s Orca heading West at Venture Point, Okisollo Channel. ?T086As? A second group of Transients are traveling with them as well. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:56 • Bigg`s Orca approaching the East entrance to Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel. ?T101s?

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

T101s at Hole in the Wall and Okisollo Channel

Fri, 1 Jul 2016 – 10 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours











SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

T101s at Hole in the Wall and Okisollo Channel

Fri, 1 Jul 2016 – 10 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

13:20 • 3 Bigg`s Orca off the West side of Raza Island, Calm Channel. They were behind a group of 6 Orca. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:20 • 6 Bigg`s Orca off the North end of Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:20 • 2 Bigg`s Orca at the South end of Rendezvous Islands. Two bulls. They were behind a group of 3 Orca. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

12:51 • 7+ Bigg`s Orca heading West by Rendezvous Islands.

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

12:27 • Bigg`s Orca angling towards Rendezvous Islands coming out of Lewis Channel.

10:48 • Bigg`s Orca near Sarah Point, Desolation Sound. ▫ Second Hand

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

10:32 • Bigg`s Orca heading North off Teakerne Arm in Lewis Channel.

10:07 • 7-8 Bigg`s Orca near Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound. ▫ Radio Report

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours


Wed Jun 29 2016

16:45 • Bigg`s Orca heading West towards Grant Reefs along the South side of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore

John and Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC

15:51 • Bigg`s Orca heading South at Lund, Malaspina Strait. ?T002Cs? ▫ Leaving the Scene

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

T002Cs at Lund

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 – 7 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours








SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

T002Cs at Lund

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 – 7 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:39 • Bigg`s Orca moving slowly, heading East between Savary Island and Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait. ?T002Cs? Going towards Lund.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

12:05 • Bigg`s Orca, Okeover Inlet. ?T002Cs?

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

T002Cs playing in Okeover Inlet

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 – 10 items











SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales

T002Cs playing in Okeover Inlet

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 – 10 items

11:39 • 25 Bigg`s Orca heading South South-East of Thrasher Rock, Georgia Strait.


Tue Jun 28 2016

17:16 • Bigg`s Orca heading North, Baker Passage. ?T002Cs? ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

17:13 • Bigg`s Orca heading North-East heading towards Twin Islands, Baker Passage. ?T002Cs?

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

16:19 • Bigg`s Orca heading North at Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. ?T002Cs?

08:15 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading South at Hernando Island. Both males.

Jeremy Cleator, Powell River, BC

NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Sat Jul 02 2016

11:33 • NRKW Orca by Horseshoe Bay in Howe Sound, Queen Charlotte Channel. ?A86s?

HUMPBACK WHALES


Mon Jul 04 2016

17:04 • 2 Humpback Whales still at Middle Point, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0706 Arial; BCY0291 KC? ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Middle Point, Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0706 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

15:36 • 2 Humpback Whales just South of Race Point, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0706 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, at Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0706 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

11:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South in the fishing grounds at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0706 Arial; BCY0291 KC? On the Vancouver Island shoreline.

10:55 • Humpback Whales by Browns Bay.

Ed Sharkey, Campbell River, BC

09:18 • 2 Humpback Whales outside Kanish Bay.

Radio, overheard or call out


Sun Jul 03 2016

16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South in Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South by Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

BCY0291 KC in Kelsey Bay

Sun, 3 Jul 2016 – 3 items

Joyce Ellis, Kelsey Bay, BC




SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

BCY0291 KC in Kelsey Bay

Sun, 3 Jul 2016 – 3 items

Joyce Ellis, Kelsey Bay, BC

Joyce Ellis, Kelsey Bay, BC

14:42 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South just off of Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.

13:28 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South abeam Helmcken Island approaching Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.

13:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South just South of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.

12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South by Kelsey Bay.

Joyce Ellis, Kelsey Bay, BC

11:31 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South near Kelsey Bay.


Thu Jun 30 2016

17:21 • 2 Humpback Whales at April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial and BCY0291 KC? ▫ Leaving the Scene

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial at April Point

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 – 1 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours


SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial at April Point

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 – 1 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

14:13 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, off Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Mid-channel and going towards Quadra Island.

14:13 • 2 Humpback Whales Campbell River, Discovery Passage. In front of the museum. ▫ Radio Report

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching and tail lobbing, South of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Jos on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene

10:16 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North off Willow Point, Georgia Strait. 0.25 miles offshore.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

09:53 • 1 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point, Georgia Strait.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial between Mittlenatch and Salmon Point

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 – 7 items








SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial between Mittlenatch and Salmon Point

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 – 7 items

09:52 • 1 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Salmon Point.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

08:32 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South from Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Headed for Seymour Narrows.


Wed Jun 29 2016

17:22 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC? Off the casino. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:07 • 2 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading South at Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

15:52 • 2 Humpback Whales at Walcan Seafood Quadra Island.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

14:23 • Humpback Whales heading South at Race Point mid-strait of Discovery Passage.

13:08 • 1 Humpback Whales at the South end of Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

12:05 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, in the area around Menzies Bay and Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC? ▫ Leaving the Scene

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial circling in Menzies Bay in the Seymour Narrows area

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 – 4 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours





SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial circling in Menzies Bay in the Seymour Narrows area

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 – 4 items

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

11:01 • 2 Humpback Whales at Maud Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:19 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Yellow Island, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC?


Tue Jun 28 2016

18:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North at April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

18:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North just South of Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures

17:39 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, off Grouse Island, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North off Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage. ?BCY0767 Arial; BCY0291 KC?

17:14 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North center of channel between Marina Reef and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

17:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North just South of the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Mon Jul 04 2016

12:27 • PWS Dolphins heading East towards Johns Point, Nodales Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

10:56 • PWS Dolphins off Horn Point, Dent Rapids.

Gordon Prezioso, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sat Jul 02 2016

15:31 • 25 PWS Dolphins Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

PWS near Denham Islet

Sat, 2 Jul 2016 – 2 items

Campbell River Whale Watching



SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

PWS near Denham Islet

Sat, 2 Jul 2016 – 2 items

Campbell River Whale Watching

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:00 • 20 PWS Dolphins resting, between Denham Rock and Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

11:29 • 30 PWS Dolphins off Horn Point in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

09:45 • 50 PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay near Gomer Island, Dent Rapids.


Thu Jun 30 2016

17:42 • 40 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading South-East towards Francisco Island from Okisollo rapids, Okisollo Channel.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

16:47 • 40 PWS Dolphins off Grant Island, Okisollo Channel.

14:13 • PWS Dolphins heading North, Discovery Passage. Travelling past Okisollo Channel.

14:13 • 40 PWS Dolphins off Nixon Island near Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.


Wed Jun 29 2016

14:45 • 20-30 PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay North of Dent Rapids, Dent Rapids.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

11:07 • 30-40 PWS Dolphins heading South, Discovery Passage.

10:57 • 30-40 PWS Dolphins heading East between Turn Island and Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

PWS riding the wake of the boat

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 – 2 items



SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

PWS riding the wake of the boat

Thu, 30 Jun 2016 – 2 items

DALL’S PORPOISE


Mon Jul 04 2016

15:49 • 5 Dall`s Porpoise, Hole in the Wall.

Radio, overheard or call out

09:07 • 2 Dall`s Porpoise just outside Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.

Gordon Prezioso, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sat Jul 02 2016

16:22 • 2 Dall`s Porpoise off Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

10:21 • Dall`s Porpoise at the head of Frederick Arm. ▫ Radio Report

Radio, overheard or call out

HARBOUR PORPOISE


Tue Jun 28 2016

20:10 • 1 Harbour Porpoise milling, in Discovery Coast Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.


SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-020

SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP


SUBMIT sightings
or call 1-877-323-9776 or eMail
we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines

The Magazine

The release of an Action Plan for the recovery of the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale population has the potential to be a pivotal moment for our resident Orca. The plan is open for a 60-day public comment period.

Sightings Update readers may wish to review and comment on the multiple human and natural factors affecting our resident Orca populations and the proposed remediation actions. Other interested Stakeholders will include Whale Watching Boat Operators, Boaters, Commercial Fishers, First Nations, Consumers and the Marine Transportation sector.

Click the image below to access the Recovery Plan (PDF)

Read Canadian press coverage of the plans release in the following article

Species at Risk Public Registry


REGIONAL & WEST COAST

The Canadian Press / Toronto Star


The recovery plan for the Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whale population has been set out online by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with a 60-day public comment period.

The document makes 94 recommendations to help the two distinct whale populations that eat only fish….

Atlantic – City Lab


The waters off San Francisco must be echoing with a glorious chorale of weee-oooos and uuuuurrrghhs. Spotters have reported a record number of gray, humpback, and massive blue whales in the region, making whale-watching as easy as strolling onto the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Weather Network

Thursday, June 30, 2016, 10:55 – (Reuters) – The search for a blue whale tangled in commercial crabbing gear off California’s coast stretched into a second day on Wednesday as whale watchers, leisure boaters and fishermen hoped for a glimpse of the ensnared animal and a second chance to rescue it.

The 80-foot-long whale, about twice the size of a school bus…

KING5.com

A pod of Transient whales, also known as Bigg’s killer whales, visited Seattle’s waters Monday.
KING 5 viewer Stu Davidson submitted video of the whales that his son Drew shot while boating on Elliott Bay.
Davidson said the whales were moving north towards West Point when he spotted them.
According to the Pacific Whale Watching Association, there are about 320 individually identified transient killer whales along the west coast of North America.

CANADA

RCI


Some 160 years ago, whales were being actively slaughtered by the thousands in the quest for things like their baleen, used in women’s garments, and for things like fishing rods, umbrella stays, buggy whips, etc. but especially sought after was their "oil". Around 1850, there were over 700 whaling ships in …

CBC News – Nwefoudland and Labrador


Researchers are studying the amount of oil in the bones of two blue whale carcasses beached on Newfoundland’s west coast two years ago, in the hope it will reveal how whales withstand diving pressure.
The bones have just been removed from a compost mix that has been slowly decomposing excess flesh, cleaning the skeletons for public display at Memorial University’s St. John’s campus and at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).

CBC News – New Brunswick –


After wondering if the nutrients from Right whale poop had an impact on the marine ecosystem around them, researchers from the University of Vermont found out it does.

Dr. Joe Roman, a fellow at the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont says when he started out as an observer of the Right whales in the 1990s he noticed soon after they dived to forage …

CBC News – Nwefoudland and Labrador


“It’s pretty amazing, and then it’s kind of sad, because you’re wondering, what happened? Was it struck by a ship? Did something kill it?” Burke told CBC News, adding she only got as close to it as odour would allow.

INTERNATIONAL

Huffington Post

The humpback whale in this video demonstrates how whales, dolphins and porpoises actually snooze – suspended completely vertically in the water. The video, filmed off the Turks and Caicos Islands

Time Colonist, BC


MINEOLA, N.Y. – Scientists have deployed a buoy 22 miles off the coast of New York’s Fire Island to monitor several species of great whales in “near real-time.” The high-tech acoustic device will eavesdrop on the songs of the whales to better understand and safeguard their movements near two busy shipping lanes entering New York Harbor.

“We know they’re there, but we know very little about them,” ….

Daily Mail


A series of photographs show the moment a determined orca deliberately beached itself in order to catch its supper.
The whale risked death by swimming into such shallow water to catch a South American Sea Lion, in Patagonia, Argentina.
It had set its sights on the sea lion, and followed it perilously close to shore.
But the risk ended in victory for the orca, which managed to snatch the sea lion as its companions watched on.
The sea lion was last seen being carried off into deeper water by the whale.


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