Large Pod of Transient Biggs Orca

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Large Pod of Transient Biggs Orca

Last Friday, there was a rare occurence when a large pod of approximately 22 Transient Biggs Orca formed and was observed in Discovery Passage. Within the pod, there were T18s, T19B, and T60s. The Orca were seen off Cape Mudge in the morning, made their way Northward passing Campbell River, and moved into Johnstone Strait by mid-afternoon. Humpback Whales have been seen regularly this past week not only in Discovery Passage but also in Sutil Channel and in the Northern half of Malaspina Strait. There have been sightings of Pacific White Sided Dolphins, some in large groups and some in small groups. Our report includes a few sightings of Southern Resident Orca, Harbour Porpoise, and Dall’s Porpoise.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society

Lone Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale travelling through Arran Rapids

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Sightings Update


SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-031

SIGHTINGS LOCATIONS MAP

TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES


Mon Sep 12 2016

16:20 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T102◦ heading East off Snout Point, Toba Inlet.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

14:45 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T102◦ halfway from Brem River to Wildernest Lodge, Toba Inlet. T101A and T102 are mid-channel while T101 and T101B are tight to the South Shore. ▫ Leaving the Scene

13:19 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T102◦ 3 miles from the head of Homfray Channel.

Nick Templeman, Campbell River, BC

12:57 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T101s, T102◦ heading North in Homfray Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:18 • Biggs Orca heading North

09:35 • 4 Biggs Orca heading South-East towards Martin Island from Refuge Cove, Lewis Channel.

09:25 • Biggs Orca by Squirrel Cove, Lewis Channel.


Sun Sep 11 2016

16:30 • 1 Biggs Orca at Orford Bay, Bute Inlet. Lone male.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

15:20 • 1 Biggs Orca about 1 mile off of Orford River, Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

12:22 • Biggs Orca are half way between Moh Creek and Estero Basin 300 meters off shore, doing 6 knots on the West side of Bute Inlet.

11:00 • 1 Biggs Orca going through Arran Rapids.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Lone Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale travelling through Arran Rapids

Sun, 11 Sep 2016 – 1 items

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Lone Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale travelling through Arran Rapids

Sun, 11 Sep 2016 – 1 items

10:13 • Biggs Orca heading South at Horn Point, Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand


Sat Sep 10 2016

09:58 • est. 3 Biggs Orca heading South by Shingle Beach on the West side of Texada Island, Sabine Channel.

Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales by Shingle Beach

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 – 3 items

Candi Little, Texada Island, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales by Shingle Beach

Sat, 10 Sep 2016 – 3 items

Candi Little, Texada Island, BC


Fri Sep 09 2016

15:45 • 22-26 Biggs Orca by Turn Island, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand

15:30 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading West off Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:00 • 8-10 Biggs Orca heading West off Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.

14:35 • Biggs Orca in the middle of Georgia Strait. Observed from Horseshoe Bay Ferry. ▫ Second Hand

14:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading West off Thurlow Point, Nodales Channel.

14:08 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading West entering the North end of Nodales Channel.

13:30 • est. 22 Biggs Orca ◦T18s, T19B, T60s plus more◦ heading West grouped up by No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. All but the T002Cs group up after being spread out.

Radio, overheard or call out

12:00 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ off Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.

11:45 • Biggs Orca by the mill at Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:29 • Biggs Orca heading North towards Yuculta Rapids from Calm Channel.

10:47 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading North between Campbell River Fishing Pier and Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage.

10:37 • Biggs Orca heading North in front of ferry terminal at Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

10:02 • Biggs Orca heading North close to the shore just South of Bartlett Islet off Church House, Calm Channel.

09:55 • Biggs Orca heading North between Campbell River and Yaculta in the middle of Discovery Passage.

09:04 • 18 Biggs Orca heading North at the Southern end of Discovery Passage. One group of 10 and another group of 8.

09:00 • est. 8 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading North in front of campground at Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. In two groups with one group of 4. Two large bulls. Observed from Campbell River. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

08:24 • Biggs Orca off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.

08:24 • Biggs Orca heading North by Willow Point, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out


Thu Sep 08 2016

17:44 • Biggs Orca ◦T18s, T19B◦ heading North off of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

13:36 • Biggs Orca midstrait off of Penn Islands heading towards Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.

11:17 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ moving slowly, heading for Plunger Passage from Whaletown, Sutil Channel. Tight to shoreline.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

09:07 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading North by Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

09:07 • Biggs Orca heading North at Marina Reef.

07:45 • Biggs Orca heading South along the shoreline of Cortes Island near Quartz Bay, Sutil Channel. Blows were observed. ▫ Second Hand


Wed Sep 07 2016

16:32 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ off the South end of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:26 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ off the South tip of Cortes Island.

14:43 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ between Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales T002Cs between the Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Francisco Point

Wed, 7 Sep 2016 – 4 items

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whales T002Cs between the Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Francisco Point

Wed, 7 Sep 2016 – 4 items

13:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading South towards Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:37 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ close to Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay.

09:06 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading North off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

09:00 • Biggs Orca heading North off Francisco Point on back side of Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.


Tue Sep 06 2016

19:15 • Biggs Orca off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out

18:08 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading South very close to the shore off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

15:08 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ milling, 1-km West of Read Point on Read Island, Sutil Channel. Milling around for about 45 minutes. After lowering a hydrophone, we were able to hear some vocalizations for about 5 minutes. The Orca surfaced next to the boat a few times. Then, some tail slapping, upside-down swimming at the surface, and 4 breaches by the smallest member in the group. The pod next went to some rocks in the Breton Islands and were slowly circling some rocks with some hauled out harbour seals on the rocks. ▫ on Scene

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale near Read Point

Tue, 6 Sep 2016 – 4 items

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Transient Biggs Killer Whales

Transient Bigg’s Killer Whale near Read Point

Tue, 6 Sep 2016 – 4 items

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


Sun Sep 04 2016

09:00 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading North-West towards Gambier Island, Collingwood Channel. Short dives. ▫ From Ferry

Judy Marusiak, Sechelt, BC

SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES


Sun Sep 11 2016

15:15 • SRKW Orca ◦J,pod◦ on the South-West side of San Juan Island, Haro Strait.


Thu Sep 08 2016

15:00 • SRKW Orca ◦J Pod, K Pod, L Pod◦ heading West from San Juan Islands heading into Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait.


Wed Sep 07 2016

15:06 • SRKW Orca ◦J,pod◦ heading North by Sand Heads, Georgia Strait.

HUMPBACK WHALES


Mon Sep 12 2016

19:28 • 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, off Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. In 45 feet of water doing circles.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

18:40 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading North in front of Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jeanne Ralston, WOWS

18:34 • 1 Humpback Whales by Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

16:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Small whale.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:03 • 2 Humpback Whales right off of Hurtado Point South of Lund, Malaspina Strait.

14:30 • 3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South off Cape Lazo, Georgia Strait. Position. N 49.34.985 W 124.45.973 GPS on 17.5 ft Searay. Several sightings of 3 humpbacks within 500 meters at the above lat and long. 12 – 13 minute deep dives then 3 or 4 breaths and back down. ▫ On Scene

Tom Furlotte, Comox, BC

13:19 • 1 Humpback Whales between Penn Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

12:29 • Humpback Whales heading North off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

11:53 • 1-2 Humpback Whales just North of Lund, Malaspina Strait.

11:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South between Dinner Rock and Hurtado Point, Malaspina Strait. The whales were together but eventually split up with one going Northward.

10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.

Radio, overheard or call out


Sun Sep 11 2016

18:38 • est. 2 Humpback Whales half way between Powell River and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.

Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC

17:48 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North-West on the North side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Non-fluker.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

16:14 • 1 Humpback Whales just South of the Cape Mudge Lighthouse tight to the Quadra Island shore, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:16 • Humpback Whales in Strait of Juan de Fuca. Humpbacks defending Steller Sea Lions from Orca.

Radio, overheard or call out

15:11 • 2 Humpback Whales at Powell River heading towards Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.

Joe VanEs, Powell River, BC

15:06 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South at Cape Mudge Village just off shore of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

14:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North towards Keats Island, Collingwood Channel. ▫ Observed from Shore

Greg Rollins, Vancouver, BC

11:40 • 1 Humpback Whales off of Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.

11:09 • 1 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:38 • Humpback Whales doing circles, just South of Hill Island between Hill Island and Burdwood Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:42 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.

09:00 • 1 Humpback Whales in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North about half a mile off of Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures


Sat Sep 10 2016

17:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick, BCZ0004 Stripe◦ off of Goepel Island heading for Okisollo Channel from Hoskyn Channel.

17:32 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick, BCZ0004 Stripe◦ in Hoskyn Channel. Heading towards Whiterock Passage.

15:27 • 1 Humpback Whales heading East between Turn Island and Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.

14:22 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North into Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

13:55 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ doing circles, off of the mill in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

13:06 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading North midstrait off of April Point on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

12:32 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.

11:28 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North towards Whiskey Point tight along the shoreline of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

11:17 • 2 Humpback Whales in Open Bay, Sutil Channel.

11:17 • 2 Humpback Whales angling towards Hyacinthe Point, Sutil Channel.

10:37 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, heading North about 1km South of Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage. Close to Campbell River shoreline.

Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures

10:00 • est. 1 Humpback Whales off of Lund, Malaspina Strait.

Alan Wood

09:51 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading North off of the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage. Not going anywhere. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:30 • 1-2 Humpback Whales, Hoskyn Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

09:28 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North out from Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.

09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off of the North-West end of Lasqueti Island heading up Sabine Channel. Slapping pectoral fins.

Laurie Mitchell

07:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North off of Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Tight along the Vancouver Island shoreline.


Fri Sep 09 2016

16:06 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off Church House, Calm Channel.

15:36 • 1 Humpback Whales in Gillard Passage, Yuculta Rapids.

Radio, overheard or call out

14:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off Chatham Islands, Haro Strait.

13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales between Stuart Island, Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

11:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Shelter Point, Georgia Strait.

Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures

10:10 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Harbott Point, Stuart Island, Calm Channel.

09:23 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North between Penn Islands and Read Island, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

07:29 • 2-3 Humpback Whales bucking tide, at Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort


Thu Sep 08 2016

17:31 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading South in front of Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait. Hanging around. ▫ Observed from Shore

Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

16:50 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading South off of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours

15:13 • 1 Humpback Whales almost in from of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.

12:13 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading North midstrait off of Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River, Discovery Passage.

12:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North South of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.

Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC

11:04 • est. 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, midway between Bullock Bluff and Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.

09:53 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading South off of Bullock Bluff towards Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

09:28 • est. 1 Humpback Whales by Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

08:48 • est. 1 Humpback Whales heading South by Dinner Rock below Lund, Malaspina Strait.

Jenna Adamack, Lund, BC


Wed Sep 07 2016

18:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North close to the shore at April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

16:57 • 1 Humpback Whales off the South-East tip of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.

Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Wed, 7 Sep 2016 – 5 items

Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Wed, 7 Sep 2016 – 5 items

Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC

16:12 • Humpback Whales by Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island in the middle of Discovery Passage.

Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures

15:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading West just North of Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel.

13:24 • Humpback Whales off Howe Island entering Nodales Channel.

Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters

13:13 • 2 Humpback Whales entering Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand

13:10 • Humpback Whales by Howe Island, Nodales Channel.

Radio, overheard or call out

12:11 • Humpback Whales by Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.

Josh Grin, Pacific Pro Dive

11:14 • 2 Humpback Whales off Plumper Point, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out

10:08 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North approaching Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.

09:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand


Tue Sep 06 2016

18:37 • 1 Humpback Whales heading East off Harwood Island towards Powell River, Malaspina Strait.

Candi Little

18:17 • 1 Humpback Whales off the West side of Vivian Island, Georgia Strait.

18:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Vivian Island, Malaspina Strait.

Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce

14:13 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading South North-East of Duncan Bay in the middle of Discovery Passage. Surfaced 2-3 times, then dove for about 5 minutes. It repeated this sequence 3 times when we were observing it. ▫ On Scene

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale BCY0291, KC heading South near Duncan Bay

Tue, 6 Sep 2016 – 3 items

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

SIGHTING MEDIA

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale BCY0291, KC heading South near Duncan Bay

Tue, 6 Sep 2016 – 3 items

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

–:– • 2 Humpback Whales near Tribune Bay, Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Observed in the afternoon. ▫ Second Hand

Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive

PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS


Mon Sep 12 2016

17:09 • PWS Dolphins heading South off Horn Point, Dent Rapids.

09:03 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading West by Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


Sat Sep 10 2016

16:45 • 12 PWS Dolphins by Granite Point, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out

13:05 • PWS Dolphins between the West side of Stuart Island and Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.

12:45 • PWS Dolphins doing circles, off of Chasina Island, Okisollo Channel. Small group.

10:00 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins foraging, at the entrance to Frederick Arm.

Radio, overheard or call out


Fri Sep 09 2016

08:53 • PWS Dolphins at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.


Wed Sep 07 2016

15:14 • PWS Dolphins milling, off Davis Point, Nodales Channel. Big group.

12:10 • 200 PWS Dolphins in Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.

11:15 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins off Howe Island, Nodales Channel.

10:21 • PWS Dolphins off Howe Island. Huge pod of dolphins.

Radio, overheard or call out

10:12 • PWS Dolphins heading South Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Large group. ▫ Second Hand


Mon Aug 22 2016

11:00 • 1 PWS Dolphins heading South off Bowen Bay, Collingwood Channel. Only saw the one animal. ▫ Observed from Shore

Greg Rollins, Vancouver, BC

DALLS PORPOISE


Mon Sep 12 2016

17:11 • Dalls Porpoise just North of Race Point, Discovery Passage.


Sun Sep 11 2016

14:15 • Dalls Porpoise playing, in Devils Hole, Dent Rapids.

Radio, overheard or call out


Sat Sep 10 2016

10:50 • 6 Dalls Porpoise by Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.

Radio, overheard or call out


Fri Sep 09 2016

07:53 • 6 Dalls Porpoise playing, on the backside of Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.

Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort

HARBOUR PORPOISE


Sun Sep 11 2016

14:00 • 2 Harbour Porpoise heading North-West half way between Tent Island and Chemainus, Stuart Channel. They came up in front of our kayaks, crested twice, then they did a long circle and headed West. They had small dorsal fins with short noses. They were approximately 4′ long and dark grey-black in color. ▫ On Scene

Arnt and Christine Soros, Ladysmith, BC


Tue Sep 06 2016

15:00 • 1 Harbour Porpoise heading West about 2-km East of Rebecca Spit on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ On Scene

Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC


SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-031

SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP


SUBMIT sightings
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The Magazine

REGIONAL & WEST COAST

CBC News

Some of the humpback whale populations found on the B.C. coast are among those that are no longer listed as endangered by the U.S. government ….
“They are at a point now where many of these populations can be considered to be fully recovered,” said Andrew Trites, the director of the Marine Mammal Research Unit at UBC.

The Olympian, WA

The Southern Resident orcas are starving. And that’s not all. Lack of prey combined with toxic chemicals in the Puget Sound are a one-two punch for our beloved marine neighbors.

Orcas expend precious energy reserves searching for fewer fish and must cope with vessel noise and harassment from boats that are too close. Their energy reserves …

Earth Touch Network

The recent disappearance of a 42-year-old matriarch is another gloomy note in the gloomy soundtrack of the world’s best-known population of orcas: the Southern Residents, which famously summer in the Salish Sea straddling Washington State and British Columbia.

The iconic whales have been closely monitored for several decades…

CANADA

New Scientist

Six years ago, on 11 August 2010, whale researchers working in the western North Pacific encountered something very unusual: a white male killer whale, or orca. Two days later the white whale, nicknamed Iceberg, reappeared in a large group of orcas – a group that included a second white whale.

In fact, over the past few years the researchers have encountered no fewer than five – and perhaps as many as eight – white orcas in the western North Pacific. They are virtually unheard of elsewhere in the world’s oceans. Their unusual abundance

INTERNATIONAL

New Zealand Herald

Amazing aerial footage captured off the coast of the Mercury Islands shows orca hunting for stingray in the shallows. Tauranga wildlife photographer Jack Preston was diving with friends on Sunday when two orca “appeared out of nowhere”. Using a drone ……

Duke University

A new International Union for Conservation of Nature guide, authored by Duke University’s Doug Nowacek, outlines the best practices governments and energy companies should follow to reduce harmful impacts on marine life from underwater seismic surveys’ intense sounds.

In seismic surveys, air guns towed behind ships emit powerful bursts of sound …

National Geographic News

For centuries, humpback whales were hunted to the brink of extinction. But now, following a forty-year initiative to protect them from whalers, their population is finally on the rebound.

In an announcement earlier this week, NOAA Fisheries reported that 9 out of fourteen known populations of humpbacks worldwide have recovered to the point where …

The National Post

Two dolphins have been recorded for the first time having a conversation, after scientists developed an underwater microphone which could distinguish the animals’ different "voices.…

Mother Nature Network

The drone footage is helpful in determining the overall health of the whales. “Drones are allowing us to non-invasively measure the size and body condition of free living southern right whales, which in turn allows us to investigate important aspects of their health and reproduction, including the growth rate of calves in relation to the condition of their mothers,” said Dr. Fredrik Christiansen, part of …

Wide Open Country News, USA

Pinkie, the extremely rare pink dolphin, just made an appearance in a Louisiana lake. Thankfully, plenty of bystanders were on hand to capture images of the beautiful bottlenose dolphin.

Pinkie first appeared in Lake Calcasieu in 2007. The lake is just east of Beaumont, Texas and just south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Sea water from the Gulf of Mexico …

The Volunteer

Greece provides an irresistible blend of warm Mediterranean climate, fascinating ancient culture, and seas rich in marine life. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn about and make an active contribution towards the conservation of two of the world’s most charismatic and endearing marine species – the bottlenose and short beaked common dolphin. By joining Frontier’s dolphin conservation project in the Mediterranean Sea you will be making a positive contribution to the protection of dolphin populations around the west coast of Greece, whilst at the same time gaining …


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