Count those Humpbacks and Biggs Orca Appear for a Few Days

13:39 • Biggs Orca ?T090s? heading west at the west end of Weynton Passage.

13:07 • 3 Biggs Orca heading west off Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait.

21:00 • Biggs Orca heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait.

19:00 • 6-7 Biggs Orca in Frolander Bay, Malaspina Strait. Playing in bay for about 2 hours and proceeded southward. A few young calves in the pod.

19:00 • Biggs Orca ?T117s; T120? west of Mitlenatch Island zig zagging toward Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:39 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north off the ferry dock at Little River, Comox, Georgia Strait.

15:15 • 2 Biggs Orca heading south Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait. Small fins.

15:05 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait.

14:35 • 3 Biggs Orca heading north moving about 7-8 knots approaching Cape Lazo, Comox. ▫ Leaving the Scene

14:00 • Biggs Orca at Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Heard from boater. ▫ Second Hand

13:45 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north between marker at Cortez Reef and Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.

12:49 • 3-4 Biggs Orca foraging, in Comox Harbour. One male and one female so far. Possibly T120 and T117s. ▫ On Scene

11:51 • 3-4 Biggs Orca heading north in front of Royston heading toward Comox, Baynes Sound. One big fin. From a friend on shore. ▫ Second Hand

18:57 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. Two pods of Orca. Not sure what is happening here – the Humpback seems to be chasing after the Orca. Orca are not hunting this whales. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:55 • Biggs Orca ?T002Cs; T124s? off Hoskyn Rock, Sutil Channel.

15:46 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south about 0.25-miles from the shore off Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait. Travelling at about 5 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:31 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south off Oyster Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene

15:15 • 4 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading west about 1-mile west of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.

14:08 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south just north of Orange Point, Discovery Passage.

12:30 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south approaching Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

13:31 • 40-60 NRKW Orca ?A30s; A32s; I40s? between Numas Islands and Malcolm Point, Queen Charlotte Strait.

13:07 • est. 40 NRKW Orca off Blinkhorn Peninsula east of Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait.

10:54 • Orca in Hole in the Wall. Reported by Fishing Guide. ▫ Second Hand

09:05 • Orca heading north in Lewis Channel.

14:41 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCY0057 Niagara; BCY Chinook? below Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.

14:41 • 2 Humpback Whales above Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.

13:15 • 2 Humpback Whales angling toward Viner Point, Sutil Channel.

12:56 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south-east right on the transit line around Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.

12:43 • 2 Humpback Whales tail lobs, breaching, heading south off Atrevida Reef just north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.

12:37 • Humpback Whales mid channel at the north end of Drew Passage. Lying on the surface; very hard to see.

10:07 • est. 4 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Marina Island, Georgia Strait.

10:04 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading north mid channel between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. About six minute dives.

09:49 • Humpback Whales heading towards Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Blows were observed.

08:00 • 3 Humpback Whales just north of Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.

17:35 • 6-7 Humpback Whales between Whaletown and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Mid-channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

16:30 • Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Pacific Yellowfin Charters leaving the scene. ▫ Second Hand

16:21 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at the can marker off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

14:43 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

14:29 • 4 Humpback Whales between the Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.

14:05 • est. 2 Humpback Whales by Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Saw at least 2 whales – we suspect they were Humpbacks: dorsal ridge and big tail flukes.

13:58 • est. 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.

13:17 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Rendezvous Islands and Raza Passage, Calm Channel.

12:36 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south, Drew Passage. Closer to Rendezvous side of passage.

11:56 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-strait off Naka Creek, Johnstone Strait.

11:30 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. Active whales. ▫ Leaving the Scene

10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.

09:29 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west from the north end of Marina Island towards Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.

08:52 • 3 Humpback Whales 1 mile west of Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.

08:44 • 3 Humpback Whales doing circles, north of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

20:09 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off the southwest side of Savary Island, Georgia Strait.

16:08 • 2 Humpback Whales about 2 miles south of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay.

14:41 • 2 Humpback Whales off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.

11:49 • 5-6 Humpback Whales trumpeting, by Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.

11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Big Bay, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.

11:10 • 1 Humpback Whales off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.

10:42 • 2 Humpback Whales ?BCX0380 Zed? tail slaps, pectoral slaps, and taking short dives, at the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. The whale is also known as “Zorro”.

09:47 • 2-3 Humpback Whales just north of the can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

09:28 • 1 Humpback Whales bubble netting, off the north side of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Young whale.

07:00 • 1 Humpback Whales trumpeting, off Rebecca Spit. On the surface for about 30 minutes and trumpeting (making noises) during that time. The whale was reported injured due to the noise it was making. ▫ Second Hand

17:22 • 4 Humpback Whales off the red can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

15:18 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.

14:45 • 4 Humpback Whales doing circles, Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.

14:33 • Humpback Whales heading south-west bottom of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

13:36 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, in the rapids between Kellsey Point and Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. Very small whale.

13:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.

12:48 • Humpback Whales in front of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. ▫ Second Hand

12:25 • Humpback Whales off the red can at Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait. Sailboat on scene.

12:01 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

11:50 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.

11:29 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south near Eastwest Bay, Maurelle Island, Calm Channel. South of Hole in the Wall.

11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, just south of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

11:02 • 1 Humpback Whales off the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy heading to Francisco Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene

10:52 • 2 Humpback Whales at Viner Point heading to Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. Sleepy.

09:53 • Humpback Whales in Von Donop Inlet. Multiple blows.

09:42 • Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.

08:42 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at the south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.

08:26 • 2 Humpback Whales at red can off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.

08:06 • 2 Humpback Whales, Hole in the Wall. Reported by Sonora fishing guides. ▫ Second Hand

18:57 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south about 1-mile off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. Not sure what is happening here – the Humpback seems to be chasing after the Orca. Orca are not hunting this whales.

17:28 • 5 Humpback Whales heading out of the north end of Lewis Channel.

17:12 • 4 Humpback Whales between the red can at Cortez Reef and the red can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

15:14 • 5 Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.

11:36 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene

09:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south 300 m. off Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.

08:57 • 2 Humpback Whales between Cortez Reef and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.

08:53 • 1 Humpback Whales close to the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Whale in line with the red can at Cortez Reef. A sailboat is on scene.

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT

14:28 • PWS Dolphins at the head of Frederick Arm.

15:55 • PWS Dolphins between Block Island and Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand

13:27 • PWS Dolphins in Thurston Bay behind Block Island, Nodales Channel. Info from Dreadlocks. ▫ Second Hand

09:35 • 40-50 PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand

08:38 • PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay.

11:11 • 25 PWS Dolphins in Blenkinsop Bay east of Port Neville, Sunderland Channel.

15:45 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins foraging, Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait.

17:50 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins heading north off April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. With the tug and gravel barge.

17:20 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins heading north off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.

17:15 • 40-50 PWS Dolphins heading north from the Cape Mudge Lighthouse towards Campbell River, Georgia Strait.

15:20 • PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading south off Steep Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene

12:02 • PWS Dolphins off Edith Point at the west end of East Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.

10:57 • 40-50 PWS Dolphins heading south off Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait.

14:28 • Dalls Porpoise, Dent Rapids.

16:00 • est. 6 Harbour Porpoise heading south passing the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.

REGIONAL

Whales are a key part of the marine food web. The health of their populations is an indicator of the health of our oceans and the other marine life that lives in them.

Unfortunately, some of the whales in Canada are in trouble.
We know that human activity has an impact and in order to help we need to take action.

We want to hear from YOU on how we can work together for healthier oceans. Let’s Talk Whales!

For more details:
• Join the Conversation

A whale-watching tour boat struck a humpback whale that surfaced without warning off the coast of Victoria Monday, sending two passengers to hospital with undisclosed injuries.
Prince of Whales Whale Watching said one of its smaller zodiac vessels was in an area near Race Rocks Ecological Reserve watching another humpback right before it happened at 2:45 p.m.
"After about three minutes of the vessel transiting away from the animal that was spotted, the vessel struck what was thought to be a humpback whale," said Ben Duthie, operations manager for the tour company. "That animal had not been previously observed, and happened to surface immediately in front of the vessel."…

Consider for a moment a world in which every man, woman and child is forced to live in a perpetual, heavy fog. Their vision is severely limited, and, at times, the fog is so heavy as to create a virtual blindfold.

It’s precisely the kind of world that mankind has created for the 78 remaining southern resident killer whales (and other cetaceans) residing in the waters off Vancouver Island. The whales are an endangered species and have shown no sign of rebounding, despite some limited steps to safeguard their existence.

Marine mammals live in an acoustic-dominant world in which they use sound as the primary means of "seeing" their environment. It’s also how they feed, navigate, communicate and interact in what has long been known to be a critically important social structure.

Humans use their eyes; on the most part, whales and other cetaceans use their hearing.

Marine traffic (the ships engines and propellers) produce low frequency sounds that travel for very long distances, reverberating through the ocean and masking cetacean communication and the whale’s ability to locate food sources…..

WEST COAST

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Federal researchers studying critically endangered North Pacific right whales sometimes go years without finding their subjects. Over the weekend they got lucky.

A research vessel in the Bering Sea photographed two of the animals Sunday and obtained a biopsy sample from one, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday….

NATIONAL

A Halifax-based marine mammal rescue group says it would like to continue rescuing right whales.

Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans paused responses to entangled right whales in July after the death of Campobello Island fisherman Joe Howlett.

“We do still have whales that are entangled right now, we’ve had a few in the last little while and people really, we do need to move on,” Tonya Wimmer, director of the Marine Animal Response Society, told CBC Radio’s The Current….

It’s common this time of year for whales to get tangled in fishing gear, but what’s becoming even more common is speeding boats getting as close as they can to whales – and that’s seriously dangerous, warns a rescue group.

Wayne Ledwell, with the Whale Release and Strandings group, says they were called to four different entangled whales in a one-week period.

The most recent one was on Saturday, when a humpback got tangled in a gillnet, trailing netting and buoys in Conception Bay.

INTERNATIONAL

Mass tourism is disturbing whales and other cetaceans struggling to live peaceably in their surroundings. Collisions with ships have been an issue for some time already – but now, tourists are wanting to swim with them.
Delphin im Mittlemeer (picture-alliance/Mary Evans Pictures/ardea.com/M. Watson )
Environmental and animal rights groups have successfully raised awareness over the negative impacts of keeping marine mammals in aquariums and zoos – but now cetaceans are at risk even in their own wild surroundings.
The unstoppable increase of tourism means many people are looking for a unique adventure far from what’s typical. However, fun for us can translate into difficulties for wildlife.
In addition to plastic pollution and other existing threats, sea mammals must now cope with tourists eager to swim at their side. Environmental groups are calling for a ban on this practice in the largest marine protected area for marine mammals in the Mediterranean, the Pelagos Sanctuary.
A new law has entered into force in France to protect whales from another lethal threat, also related to tourism: collisions with ships….

Off the coast of Abu Dhabi, scientists have discovered the presence of 700 of the rare Sousa plumbea, or humpback dolphins. These distinctive creatures aren’t usually observed in such large numbers, but researchers who spent 55 days at sea over a period of five months observed dolphins on 32 of those days. They recorded their movements by developing a method that allowed them to identify individual dolphins. This method involved photographing their dorsal fins, all of which have distinctive markings much like our fingerprints are unique to us, and adding those images to a database so they would be able to recognize them when seen again and thereby arrive at a more accurate number.

Unfortunately for the dolphins…

The spill last week, after two vessels collided in the Pearl River estuary, left white globs of jelly-like palm oil in the water and strewn across beaches, along with dead fish, rocks, shells and rubbish smothered in the oil….

Wildlife lovers will rejoice at the news that a pod of very rare striped dolphins have been spotted of the coast of Cornwall for the first time ever.
The rare species were photographed leaping out of the waves along the Scillonian III ferry ship by a group of citizen science volunteers.
The three members of the team were on the bridge of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s ferry on the way back from St Mary’s to Penzance looking out for marine life as part of the ORCA OceanWatch project when one of the team called out the sighting…