Unprecidented Number of Humpback Whales in Georgia Strait
The sheer number of Humpback Whales spread out in the Upper Georgia Strait and surrounding waterways is amazing! Over many days we have had a count of approximately fifteen different Humpback Whales. The count includes: KC, Zed, Nick, Stripe, Maude and her new calf, Whale believed to be Houdini with her new calf, Chinook, Niagra, and a couple of yet unconfirmed identities of Humpbacks. WOW!
Transient Biggs Orca have been mostly staying out of sight and seem to be slinking up and down channels. The T065s were making a big splash hunting a Steller sealion in the Gulf Islands, and the T002Cs, our regular Biggs, must be inside one of the more remote inlets with no reports coming in about them for a few days.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins have grouped up in larger numbers then split up again. As compared to last year when they spent much time in Nodales Channel, they have visited, but not stayed for long. In the meantime though, we have had small groups of Dalls Porpoise with the ocassional report of a Harbour Porpoise.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-034
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Oct 03 2016
15:52 • Biggs Orca ?T65Bs,T36As? hunting a Stellar Sealion, between the Coal docks and Belle Chain Islets, Georgia Strait.
Sun Oct 02 2016
17:12 • 3 Biggs Orca heading North past Duke Point, Northumberland Channel. Going past Duke Point Ferry Terminal. ? From Ferry
08:52 • Biggs Orca heading North at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. ? Second Hand
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
08:24 • Biggs Orca in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
Sat Oct 01 2016
11:55 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading North in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. Moving at 6 knots.
10:31 • Biggs Orca by the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Thu Sep 29 2016
18:53 • Biggs Orca heading North in front of the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
17:53 • 3-5 Biggs Orca heading North off of Myrtle Rocks hugging the shore of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
09:59 • 3 Biggs Orca heading South off of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
09:47 • 1 Biggs Orca heading North in front of the Powell River Ferry terminal, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Wed Sep 28 2016
14:05 • est. 12 Biggs Orca heading towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
13:57 • 9-12 Biggs Orca ?T002Cs, T101s, T102s? heading North about 2 miles South of Mitlenatch Island.
11:49 • 4 Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? heading South off Marina Island towards Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
11:49 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? moving slowly, West of Sutil Point heading towards Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Near red marker. Traveling about 2 knots.
Wed Sep 21 2016
10:00 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs? out by April Point through narrow gap from Gowlland Harbour.
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Oct 01 2016
16:45 • 10-16 Orca heading South by the Red Buoy Amphitrite Point, Barkley Sound. One very big dorsal and at least two juveniles.
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Oct 04 2016
09:44 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, heading South off April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
08:51 • 3 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North just North-East of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off Orange Point, Discovery Passage.
08:43 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North off Orange Point.
08:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South by Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Mon Oct 03 2016
18:23 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South off of the Vancouver Island shoreline at Middle Point, Discovery Passage.
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South blows seen near Grouse Island, Discovery Passage.
15:49 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, heading North out from Race Point, Discovery Passage. bucking the tide.
11:24 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading towards Vancouver Island from Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ? From Ferry
10:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South mid-channel out from Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
09:54 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South at Granite Point, Discovery Passage.
08:52 • 1 Humpback Whales at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
08:50 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick, BCZ0004 Stripe? heading South in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.
Sun Oct 02 2016
17:01 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
16:59 • 2 Humpback Whales at Yellow Island, Discovery Passage.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
16:43 • Humpback Whales heading East between Subtle Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
16:29 • 1 Humpback Whales ?BCY0291 KC? in front of Hole in the Wall.
15:20 • 2 Humpback Whales at Kellsey Point off Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
14:03 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South off Gillies Bay in the middle of Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
13:42 • 2 Humpback Whales at Plumper Bay, Discovery Passage.
13:14 • 2-3 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick, BCZ0004 Stripe? heading North mid-channel off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
13:13 • 2 Humpback Whales off Texada Island heading towards Cape Lazo, Georgia Strait. Mom and calf.
13:12 • 2-3 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick, BCZ0004 Stripe? heading South off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
11:45 • 2 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading South above Race Point, Discovery Passage.
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales near Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
08:24 • Humpback Whales in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
Sat Oct 01 2016
17:30 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North near Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Mother and calf. ? Leaving the Scene
14:14 • 1 Humpback Whales off of Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
12:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North by the old pier at Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. Moving at 3 knots.
11:56 • 1 Humpback Whales off of Orange Point.
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading North in front of Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage. ? Observed from Shore
Fri Sep 30 2016
17:40 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South towards Little River, Georgia Strait.
17:20 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, off of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
14:50 • 2 Humpback Whales very active, heading West 1 -mile off Vivian Island. Going towards Vancouver Island.
14:33 • Humpback Whales near Vancouver Bay, Arran Rapids.
09:20 • 1 Humpback Whales off the pulp mill in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ? Second Hand
Thu Sep 29 2016
16:59 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, just North of Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading West to Rock Bay coming from Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait. Very close to Vancouver Island shore.
15:00 • Humpback Whales ?BCY0409 Yogi? heading South at Kellett Bluff on San Juan Island, Haro Strait. Moving about 4 knots.
14:04 • 1 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick? near Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales in Thurston Bay, Nodales Channel.
11:06 • 2 Humpback Whales heading East approaching Read Point near the shore of Read Island, Sutil Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
08:49 • 1-2 Humpback Whales mid-strait off of Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
Wed Sep 28 2016
17:47 • 4 Humpback Whales heading North-East between Viner Point and Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
15:50 • Humpback Whales at Rebecca Spit, Drew Harbour. In shallow water inside scallop bouys.
15:43 • Humpback Whales by Arran Rapids.
08:32 • Humpback Whales heading North passing Sea Lion Rock at Sonora Lodge, Yuculta Rapids.
Tue Sep 27 2016
18:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ?BCX0565 Nick? at Dent Rapids.
16:07 • 1 Humpback Whales ?BCY0291 KC? heading North abeam Denham Islet close to the shoreline of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
10:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North closer to the Vancouver Island shore between Willow Point and the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North, Waddington Channel.
07:14 • 1 Humpback Whales pointing towards Campbell River at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ? Second Hand
–:– • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, off of Bamfield, Barkley Sound. Report from the West Coast of Vancouver island. We ended up with a perfect view of the underside of the mother’s tail before we had to head back to Ucluelet. ? On Scene
Wed Sep 21 2016
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Sun Sep 18 2016
10:00 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading North-East off of Lund, Malaspina Strait. Saw blows and flukes – they just appeared to be travelling. ? On Scene
Thu Sep 08 2016
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales ?BCX0380 Zed? taking long dives, heading Unknown Direction at the entrance to Desolation Sound. spotted the spout first, then shut down motor and observed the long dives. ID from photo submission – SM. ? On Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Sun Aug 28 2016
15:00 • 1 Humpback Whales Newton Cove while paddling out of Espinosa Inlet.
Wed Aug 24 2016
07:00 • 4-7 Humpback Whales breaching, Resolution Cove, Nootka Sound. also tail and flipper slapping could hear them the evening before. ? Observed from Shore
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
GREY WHALES
Wed Sep 28 2016
11:30 • 5-6 Grey Whales foraging, off of Long Beach, Pacific Ocean. Report from the West Coast of Vancouver Island. It ended up that they surrounded us while we were just drifting with the engines off. The skipper tried two times to get offshore of them but it was to difficult as they kept passing in front of us. They came very close to the boat. ? On Scene
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Oct 01 2016
18:14 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins off Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
12:40 • PWS Dolphins travelling to Frederick Arm. ? Second Hand
09:18 • PWS Dolphins up in Nodales Channel. Large group.
Fri Sep 30 2016
09:01 • est. 400 PWS Dolphins in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Thu Sep 29 2016
14:52 • PWS Dolphins in the middle of Frederick Arm.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
10:26 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins between Sonora Point and Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Wed Sep 28 2016
16:13 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins still inside Horn Bay, Dent Rapids.
14:38 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins in front of Burnt Bluff, Dent Rapids.
08:00 • PWS Dolphins between Hall Point and Denham Islet, Dent Rapids. Reported by guide from Sonora Lodge. Super pod; possibly went up Bute Inlet. ? Second Hand
Tue Sep 27 2016
17:59 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins heading North at Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
Wed Sep 21 2016
10:40 • 6-12 PWS Dolphins heading South Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. They took off in a hurry before the T002Cs could spot them.
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
DALLS PORPOISE
Fri Sep 30 2016
14:33 • Dalls Porpoise near Arran Rapids.
Wed Sep 28 2016
15:07 • 12 Dalls Porpoise playing, between Hall Point and Gomer Island, Nodales Channel.
11:49 • 8 Dalls Porpoise playing, at Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Tue Sep 27 2016
15:59 • Dalls Porpoise 200 meters out from Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Small group.
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun Oct 02 2016
16:04 • 2 Harbour Porpoise milling, in Gowlland Harbour.
Sun Aug 28 2016
13:30 • 2 Harbour Porpoise Newton Cove while paddling out of Espinosa Inlet.
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Grey Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
SPECIES UNSURE
Tue Sep 27 2016
09:01 • Species Unsure off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Blows were observed.
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-034
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
I believe the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion would be a death sentence for our iconic Southern Resident orcas, so I contacted a handful of the world’s top orca experts from outside of Canada to ask what they’d like to tell our government. What were their thoughts on Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline, which would triple the capacity of the existing pipeline from Edmonton to Burnaby to ship oil to the U.S. and Asia? Their short answer, summed up in one hashtag: #STOPKM
?Here’s what they’ve said about the impact of the expanded pipeline and tanker traffic increase through orca habitat:
“The presence of a massive oil terminal in Vancouver poses a real threat to the long-term survival of the Southern Resident killer whales. First of all, adding 400 oil tankers a year in Haro Strait will add massively to the noise that is already making ….
California Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday that he signed legislation meant to bring down the record numbers of whales getting caught in fishing gear meant for Dungeness crabs, causing unknown numbers of the entangled mammals to drown or starve.
The Democratic governor approved the bill that allows fishermen to collect abandoned and lost crab pots – the cage-like contraptions used to catch the crustaceans – in the off-season for a bounty, paid for by those who lost the gear.
Crab fishermen joined environmental groups in backing the legislation after federal agencies logged 61 reports of entangled whales off the West Coast last year, and 40 more by midsummer of this year, the majority of them off California. That compares with a previous average of eight or fewer whale entanglements a year.
CANADA
Scientists in the United States are sounding the alarm after three incidents in three days involving North Atlantic right whales.
Two of the whales were found dead off the coast of Maine, a third was discovered alive but entangled in fishing gear off Cape Cod.
Describing the situation as urgent, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration arranged a conference call with reporters Tuesday.
“When you have something like this, where in a three-day period you lost two valuable members – or contributors – to the population … that’s something we wanted to share with our partners, wanted to share with the public,” said David Gouveia, marine mammal program coordinator with the NOAA….
Researchers have been using several underwater drones to track rare North Atlantic right whales off the East Coast.
Oceanographer Kim Davies says the gliders have detected the whales in an area off the Gaspe peninsula …
Since the summer, gliders deployed by Dalhousie University have travelled thousands of kilometres off the coasts of Nova Scotia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in northern New Brunswick, sending back real time locations of whales and the ocean water conditions where they are detected.
Technology used in hunt of a different kind for North Atlantic right whales
“We can now track them far offshore in any weather by their sounds in all kinds of weather,” said Kim Davies, a researcher at Dalhousie University.
Gliders cost about $150,000 each
The gliders can dive to a depth of 200 metres, detect whale calls up to 100 kilometres away and stay at sea for up to three months.
They were deployed at Davies direction as part of a large scale
INTERNATIONAL
How do you find whales that dive so deep and spend so little time at the surface that some species have never been observed alive? Sometimes you just have to listen closely.
Thanks to a newly developed system of drifting buoys, scientists from NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, Calif., will have a much better chance of hearing beaked whales in their deep water habitat off the West Coast….
Whales are constantly feeding on krill, tiny marine organisms, to sustain themselves. The process of how a whale gulps down krill has been a mystery to researchers, but a new perspective offered by suction cup cameras and sensors may yield some clues.
Whales like humpback and blue whales engage in what’s called lunge feeding. They open their jaws very wide and take in large amounts of water and krill. The process requires them to slow down between the drag created by opening mouths and the influx of water. Add in the fact they’re essentially holding their breath while they’re collecting food, and it’s a very energy-intensive process.
Scientists have long debated whether whales open their mouths when they reach peak speed or just before reaching peak speed. So researchers at Stanford decided to …
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