Whale Diversity and Activity at its Peak!

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Whale Diversity and Activity at its Peak!

Many sightings of Transient Orca have been reported, with a few observers being fortunate to see some of the Orca hunting their prey. The Transients are in upper Georgia Strait and the inland waters while the Northern Resident Orca and Southern Resident Orca have been observed in their normal ranges at opposite ends of Vancouver Island. Groups of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins have been seen, in the Frederick Arm area as well as in the Western half of Johnstone Strait. Humpback whales have been seen in the inland waters and off Northern Vancouver Island, some of them breaching creating memorable experiences for the observers!
Ivan Ng, Volunteer, Wild Ocean Whale Society

Northern Resident Killer Whale spyhopping by Boat Bay

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

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Society News & Events
Boaters, please pay attention! Whales do NOT always manage to get out of your way and not only can they be injured, but so can you and your vessel. If you see a blow – go slow! Better yet, if you find yourself in the vicinity of these wonderful animals, put the boat into neutral or shut down entirely and enjoy watching them as you drift. They are a wonder of our world.

Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published each week.
We are preparing for our first Real Time Monitoring Station. A few logistics are still being worked out prior to posting additional callouts for Volunteers to assist with the installation.

Review our current Volunteer Job Postings

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Sightings Update


SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-027

SIGHTINGS LOCATIONS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGG’S KILLER WHALES


Thu Aug 18 2016

–:– • Bigg`s Orca off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Apparently were washing seals off the rocks.


Wed Aug 17 2016

18:00 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South by the fuel dock in Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

18:00 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading North by the fuel dock in Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

17:00 • Bigg`s Orca heading North off Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ◦T137s◦ Off the old Rona building.

16:59 • Bigg`s Orca out in front of the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.

Jared Towers, NIMMSA

16:26 • Bigg`s Orca passing the Campbell River Fishing Pier.

15:48 • Bigg`s Orca heading South passing mill in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.

15:39 • Bigg`s Orca heading South in front of Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island in the middle of Discovery Passage.

14:34 • Bigg`s Orca heading South just North of Steep Island in the middle of Discovery Passage.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

14:31 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading South off 45 Point, Quadra Island in the middle of Discovery Passage. They had small fins.

13:36 • 6 Bigg`s Orca hunting, off Sophia Islands, Johnstone Strait. They were hunting seals.

13:32 • Bigg`s Orca heading South off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand

13:31 • 5+ Bigg`s Orca at Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait. Reported by lighthouse. 5 Orca remained at Chatham Point while other Orca headed South. ▫ Second Hand

13:31 • Bigg`s Orca heading East off Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦T69Bs; T41s◦ Travelling at 5 knots and going past 2 humpback whales.

11:28 • Bigg`s Orca heading East off Stubbs Island, Blackfish Sound. ◦T69s◦


Tue Aug 16 2016

20:30 • 3 Bigg`s Orca headed into Hyacinthe Bay off Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ◦T10s◦ 2 males and 1 female.

17:06 • 3 Bigg`s Orca between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Francisco Point, Georgia Strait. At Wilby Shoals. 2 males, 1 female.

17:06 • 3 Bigg`s Orca at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. 2 males, 1 female.

16:49 • Bigg`s Orca on Wilby Shoals. ▫ Second Hand


Mon Aug 15 2016

15:23 • Bigg`s Orca heading North on the Eastern shore of Valdes Island 4 miles South of Thrasher Rock, Georgia Strait. ◦T10s◦


Sun Aug 14 2016

16:59 • 7 Bigg`s Orca circling prey, by the Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait. Looking for dinner. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:39 • Bigg`s Orca hunting, by the Powell Islets.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

16:23 • Bigg`s Orca hunting, at Powell Islets. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:25 • Bigg`s Orca heading South by Sarah Point heading towards the Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene

14:50 • Bigg`s Orca at the West tip of Kinghorn Island, Desolation Sound.

13:01 • Bigg`s Orca milling, heading North at Twin Islands off East end of Cortes Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

11:14 • 3 Bigg`s Orca heading East past Iron Point near Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait. ◦T002B Pedder; T002Cs◦ With another female.

10:16 • Bigg`s Orca heading East in Baker Passage. ◦T002Cs◦

NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Fri Aug 19 2016

14:10 • NRKW Orca foraging, at Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦A30s◦

12:43 • NRKW Orca heading West on the shoreline of Vancouver Island across from Cracroft Point on West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s; A30s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene

10:17 • NRKW Orca heading West in Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait.

09:33 • NRKW Orca heading West at Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand


Thu Aug 18 2016

14:21 • NRKW Orca heading East 3 miles West of Forward Bay and out from the shorline of West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s; A30s◦

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

13:57 • NRKW Orca heading East past Boat Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SIGHTING MEDIA

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales easting past Boat Bay

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 – 1 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

SIGHTING MEDIA

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales easting past Boat Bay

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 – 1 items

Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures

–:– • NRKW Orca resting, just passed Cracroft Point on West Cracroft Island, Blackfish Sound. ◦A42s; A30s◦

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

SIGHTING MEDIA

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales A42s and A30s passed Cracroft Point

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 – 4 items

Tina Kuschel, Discovery Marine Safari

SIGHTING MEDIA

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales A42s and A30s passed Cracroft Point

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 – 4 items

Tina Kuschel, Discovery Marine Safari


Wed Aug 17 2016

10:48 • NRKW Orca heading West, Weynton Passage. ◦A42s◦


Tue Aug 16 2016

15:39 • NRKW Orca heading East off the East end of Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s◦


Mon Aug 15 2016

14:20 • NRKW Orca heading East into the Western boundary of the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve. ◦A42s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

12:02 • NRKW Orca moving slowly, heading East mid-channel at Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s◦ ▫ On Scene

09:45 • NRKW Orca by Flower Island, Blackfish Sound.


SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales A42 resting

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 – 1 items

George, Guest of Discovery Marine Safari

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

Northern Resident Killer Whales

Northern Resident Killer Whales A42 resting

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 – 1 items

George, Guest of Discovery Marine Safari

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Tue Aug 16 2016

17:10 • SRKW Orca heading East at Monarch Head on the South-East tip of Saturna Island, Boundary Pass. ◦K12s, K13s◦


Sun Aug 14 2016

15:51 • SRKW Orca heading South at False Bay :: Bay on the South West side of San Juan Island, Georgia Strait. ◦K12s and K13s◦

HUMPBACK WHALES


Fri Aug 19 2016

19:08 • 1 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading North , North of Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

18:30 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading North abeam Willow Point, Georgia Strait.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

17:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Browns Bay fishing area in the middle of Discovery Passage.

16:40 • 2 Humpback Whales off Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Radio Report

16:30 • Humpback Whales heading North off Salmon Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Radio Report

14:19 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East at Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.

12:37 • 1 Humpback Whales heading West mid-channel off Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait. A small whale.

11:56 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading East off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. Putting on a show. ▫ Second Hand

Erin, Campbell River Whale Watching

11:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East in Brasseau Bay, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCZ0004 Stripe◦

10:13 • Humpback Whales heading West by Windy Point, Johnstone Strait.


Thu Aug 18 2016

12:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North at Knox Bay, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours


Wed Aug 17 2016

17:00 • 1 Humpback Whales at the mouth of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦

14:36 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, in Menzies Bay.

13:31 • 2 Humpback Whales off Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Blackfish Sound. Some Transient Orca went by them at about 5 knots.

12:05 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, heading East close to Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait. Large whale. Its in about 15 feet of water.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

07:19 • 1 Humpback Whales in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Relayed by Jack Springer from Campbell River Whale Watching.

Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale off of Browns Bay

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 – 4 items

Tina Kuschel, Discovery Marine Safari

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale off of Browns Bay

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 – 4 items

Tina Kuschel, Discovery Marine Safari


Tue Aug 16 2016

15:07 • 5-6 Humpback Whales between Cracroft Point and the light off Parson Island, Blackfish Sound. ◦BCY0027 Maude◦ Maude and her calf are in the group.

08:47 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, in front of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. From a friend. ▫ Second Hand


Mon Aug 15 2016

20:44 • 1 Humpback Whales angling towards Lund off of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

17:33 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South over Ripple Rock, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

15:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.

15:26 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.

15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Kanish Bay.

15:15 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, just off of the West tip of Savary Island, Georgia Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:51 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East mid-channel at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.

10:03 • 1 Humpback Whales by Hall Point, Nodales Channel.

09:09 • 1 Humpback Whales South end of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Blows were observed.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sun Aug 14 2016

17:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North near shore of Quadra Island across from Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

17:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North into Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:51 • 1 Humpback Whales between Painters Lodge and Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

15:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North pass North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. ◦BCY0027 Maude◦ With calf.

13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North by Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.

13:49 • Humpback Whales heading North in the middle of the Rendezvous Islands, Drew Passage.

10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, near South East Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ◦BCY0027 Maude◦

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

09:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North between Vivian Island and Comox, Georgia Strait.

08:56 • 2 Humpback Whales at Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ◦BCY0027 Maude◦ With calf.


Sat Aug 15 2015

20:00 • 2 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, in San Josef Bay. Seen from San Josef beach lunge feeding 30 to 50 m from shore. ▫ Observed from Shore

Hanna Wadlegger, Clearwater, BC

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Fri Aug 19 2016

16:40 • 150 PWS Dolphins heading West at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.

16:09 • 60 PWS Dolphins heading West North of Vansittart Point, Johnstone Strait.

14:19 • PWS Dolphins heading West at Vansittart Point.

11:30 • 30 PWS Dolphins milling, off Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.

10:13 • PWS Dolphins resting, by Windy Point, Johnstone Strait. A small group.


Thu Aug 18 2016

13:02 • PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm.

11:19 • 10 PWS Dolphins heading North at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

10:49 • 100+ PWS Dolphins half way up Frederick Arm. With a sea lion.


Wed Aug 17 2016

–:– • 75 PWS Dolphins, Frederick Arm.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Tue Aug 16 2016

15:38 • 75 PWS Dolphins doing circles, in Horn Bay, Dent Rapids.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

PWS stealing the show in Horn Bay

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 – 2 items

Naturalist Richochet from Campbell River Whale Watching

SIGHTING MEDIA

Pacific White Sided Dolphins

PWS stealing the show in Horn Bay

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 – 2 items

Naturalist Richochet from Campbell River Whale Watching

12:25 • 40 PWS Dolphins milling, Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.

11:19 • PWS Dolphins 1/3 way in Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures


Mon Aug 15 2016

15:16 • PWS Dolphins heading West travelling from St. Vincent Bight to Adam River, Johnstone Strait.

10:52 • PWS Dolphins heading East 3/4 mile SouthWest of Sophia Islands, Johnstone Strait.

Randy Hodge, Vancouver, BC

09:25 • 50 PWS Dolphins foraging, on the West side, 1 km in from Owen Point at Frederick Arm. Travelling back and forth.


Sun Aug 14 2016

08:23 • 50 PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay above Dent Rapids, Dent Rapids.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

DALL’S PORPOISE


Mon Aug 15 2016

10:34 • Dall`s Porpoise 1 mile off of Cracroft Point, Johnstone Strait.

Randy Hodge, Vancouver, BC


SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-027

SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP


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we welcome your sighting reports, photographs, video and audio recordings. please review our media submission guidelines

The Magazine

REGIONAL & WEST COAST

CTV News, Vancouver I.

As humpback whales continue their resurgence, more incredible encounters with humans have been filmed in B.C.’s coastal waters.
But this one might take the cake.
A group of kayakers on a guided tour in the …

CANADA

Prof. Ian Jones, Memorial University, NFLD

Filmed with a combination of GoPro above and below water cameras Off Cappahayden, SE Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, August 2, 2016.

CBC News, NB

A 6 year old endangered whale was found caught up in a huge mass of fishing gear. Thankfully the Campobello Whale Rescue Team found him in time. After five hours of grueling work, the whale was freed — and can go back to enjoying the plankton in the Bay of Fundy.

CBC News, NFLD

With so many whales hitting the Newfoundland and Labrador waters this year, some are warning against the dangers of getting too close.
Paul Babinbeau has been living in Bonavista for the past six years. He said this is the first year he’s seen people getting so close to whales.
It’s making him worry about the safety of the people on the water, as well as the whales in it.
“This year especially it’s been troublesome to see the proximity of the boats to the whales,” he said. JetSkiers have been seen …

INTERNATIONAL

Grind TV

Tour guide Phil Courter, during a boat trip around the Galapagos Islands, captured captivating footage off Fernandina Island of an orca launching a sea turtle into the air, much to the delight of all the passengers …

The Huffington Post, UK

Whilst many organic pollutants have declined to virtual insignificance in the environment, the PCBs, have stopped declining. They currently exist in “excessively high concentrations’ in some cetaceans, including orcas (also known as killer whales), bottlenose dolphins in the northeast Atlantic and many cetacean species in the Mediterranean….

The Atlantic, US

Twenty-two miles south of New York’s Fire Island, in an ocean region jam-packed with shipping traffic, there’s a bobbing yellow-and-blue buoy that’s actually a robot spy. It’s using advanced acoustic equipment to eavesdrop on whales gliding below the waves. By conducting reconnaissance on the cetaceans, it will help keep them alive….


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