Whales Returning in Numbers
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale breaching between Raza Island and Rendezvous Islands
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Over the past few years, we have had an exponential increase in whale activity in the inner waters of the Georgia Strait. There are shifts that are very obvious through our reports as well as information from those of us monitoring these Cetaceans. Personally, I have been doing this for over twenty-five years and have seen incredible changes. Our published reports started in 2010, and during the ‘slow’ season, we work on getting all of those into our Sightings System and mapped. It’s a huge effort by some great volunteers to take old reports and map them for our searchable system.
Whales that we never thought would be consistently returning and even remaining in our waters are now considered more “resident” than those called “Resident”. I used to joke that we have our Resident Transient Orca, but they are truly more resident than transient in our inside waters now. Humpback Whales have made the greatest comeback starting in the late 1990’s with extremely unusual sightings of one or maybe two whales. In 2017 a one day count was 48 confirmed individuals, and based on the current trend, we will have even greater numbers.
This week’s publication is loaded with Bigg’s Orca, Humpback Whales, Pacific White Sided Dolphins and Dall’s Porpoise. We have one report of what sounded most likely to be Resident Orca. Our shy Harbour Porpoise are an important part of our research and monitoring, yet are either not being noticed or not being reported.
Keep your eyes open and report your sightings to us. And use caution on the water.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
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Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update:
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We’re continueing to work on resolving transmission problems causing the intermittent bouncy images from the Beach Gardens Marina camera. Our second (backup) live stream mounted in Powell River appears when the Beach Gardens camera is down. We appreciate your patience.
Thank You to our Volunteers and Contributors!
Our team of online Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us? Updated Job Postings are in the works for 2018, so stay tuned.
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2018-015
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Jun 11 2018
20:34 • Biggs Orca heading south towards Van Anda, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading south towards Van Anda
Mon, 11 Jun 2018 – 4 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading south towards Van Anda
Mon, 11 Jun 2018 – 4 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
14:37 • Biggs Orca heading south off Dinner Rock just below Lund, Malaspina Strait.
14:07 • Biggs Orca at east end of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:40 • 5 Biggs Orca close to Savary Island. One very large dorsal fin in the group.
Dulcie Macdonald, Savary Island, BC
–:– • Biggs Orca off Savary Island.
Gordon Coles,
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s off of Savary Island
Mon, 11 Jun 2018 – 3 items
Gordon Coles,
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s off of Savary Island
Mon, 11 Jun 2018 – 3 items
Gordon Coles,
Sun Jun 10 2018
16:03 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ moving slowly, heading south off Eastwest Bay, Maurelle Island, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:15 • Biggs Orca ◦T065As;T049A1◦ heading north off the south end of Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
14:20 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ off North Rendezvous Island angling towards Drew Passage, Calm Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:03 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north off Church House, Calm Channel.
Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive
11:25 • 5 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ exiting Hole in the Wall and entering Calm Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
11:12 • Biggs Orca nearing the east end of Hole in the Wall.
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jun 09 2018
16:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ east side of Hernando Island, Malaspina Strait. Possibly heading back to Baker Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:46 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading east off Major Rock Islet, Malaspina Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
13:24 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ moving slowly, heading east by Iron Point on Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:13 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ spread out, by Iron Point on Twin Islands.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:44 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading towards mainland Baker Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:55 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ milling, between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T002Cs, between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage
Sat, 9 Jun 2018 – 7 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T002Cs, between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage
Sat, 9 Jun 2018 – 7 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:40 • est. 7-8 Biggs Orca heading south at Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. Near red buoy.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
06:45 • est. 5 Biggs Orca heading south-west at Cortes Bay, Malaspina Strait. From another kayaker. ▫ Second Hand
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Wed Jun 06 2018
17:18 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north 500 metres out from Francisco Point along the shore of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
17:18 • 2 Biggs Orca mid channel off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:41 • Biggs Orca ◦T101s◦ heading south-west angling toward Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:45 • 6-8 Biggs Orca, Baker Passage. Angled at Mitlenatch Island.
15:05 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ at Horace Head angled toward the shore of West Redonda Island and crossing Waddington Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:45 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ travelling at 4 knots off Horace Head angled toward Melville Island, Homfray Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T002Cs, travelling along Horace Head
Wed, 6 Jun 2018 – 7 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T002Cs, travelling along Horace Head
Wed, 6 Jun 2018 – 7 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:56 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south off the side of East Redonda Island near the top of Homfray Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:47 • 1 Biggs Orca off the south-west tip of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Big one.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:54 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north in front of Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
08:25 • 2 Biggs Orca heading west adjacent to Beaver Cove, Broughton Strait. One male, one possibly female.
08:00 • 2 Biggs Orca heading west off the light on Blinkhorn Peninsula, Johnstone Strait. One male, one possibly female.
Sarah Hauser, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jun 09 2018
08:22 • Biggs Orca Cortes side of Twin Islands towards Sutil Point, Baker Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jun 11 2018
–:– • Biggs Orca between Orange Point and Painters Lodge, Discovery Passage. No time or direction. Whales were there at night. Report from a Guest. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Tue Jun 12 2018
14:24 • 2 Biggs Orca between Francisco Point and Marina Island in the middle of Sutil Channel. Small fins.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Jun 03 2018
15:30 • 2 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north off Campbell River across from April Point, Discovery Passage. Being followed by whale watching boat – dove and did not resurface in area after boat got close. ▫ Observed from Shore
SB,
Tue Jun 12 2018
10:50 • 6 Biggs Orca off the mouth of Klinaklini River, Knight Inlet. Two big fins.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:10 • 2 Biggs Orca leaving Hyacinthe Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:15 • 2 Biggs Orca at Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Two Bigg’s at Heriot Bay
Tue, 12 Jun 2018 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Two Bigg’s at Heriot Bay
Tue, 12 Jun 2018 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Mon Jun 11 2018
–:– • 10+ Orca foraging, in Alberni Inlet. Call from fishing seiner. Most likely Resident Orca. ▫ Second Hand
Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jun 11 2018
18:15 • Humpback Whales breaching, by Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. From a kayaker. ▫ Second Hand
Office 2, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:05 • 1 Humpback Whales between Raza Island and mid Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale between Raza Island and Rendezvous Islands
Mon, 11 Jun 2018 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale between Raza Island and Rendezvous Islands
Mon, 11 Jun 2018 – 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:04 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ between Cortes Island and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Sleepy Nick and calf. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:50 • 3 Humpback Whales zig zagging, in Carrington Bay.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:45 • 2 Humpback Whales angled into Deer Passage from the top of Lewis Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west at Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Active.
12:21 • 1 Humpback Whales heading from Penn Islands toward Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
12:21 • 2 Humpback Whales close to Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:04 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Frequent dives.
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:05 • 5 Humpback Whales spaced out between Penn Islands and Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel. Maybe two calves.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
07:30 • Humpback Whales off Von Donop Inlet, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sun Jun 10 2018
15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales between Raza Point and Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
14:46 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south-west between Raza Island and Frances Bay, Raza Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:23 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
13:23 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north just north of Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. Mother and calf pair.
Elvis Chikite, Pacific Pro Dive
12:50 • 1 Humpback Whales at the south tip of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Nik Coutinho, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
12:45 • 1-2 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.
12:22 • 1 Humpback Whales off the south side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:20 • 1 Humpback Whales at the south end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:15 • 3 Humpback Whales off Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
09:37 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-way between Mitlenatch Island and the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:30 • Humpback Whales at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Information from a fisherman indicating possible Humpback. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
07:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, Carrington Bay. Mother and calf pair.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sat Jun 09 2018
16:40 • 2 Humpback Whales 1 mile north of Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Mother and calf. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:05 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, east of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:55 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
14:16 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south between south Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:44 • 1 Humpback Whales close to Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
13:10 • Humpback Whales offshore from Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel. Active.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
13:05 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ toward Whaletown Bay south of Viner Point, Sutil Channel. Nick with calf.
Nik Coutinho, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
12:35 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ offshore from Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Nick with calf, about 1 mile off shore, towards marina.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:09 • Humpback Whales offshore from Rebecca Spit. About 1 mile off shore.
11:37 • Humpback Whales offshore from Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel. Active.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:20 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, in Hoskyn Channel. Reported by phone. ▫ Second Hand
Office 2, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:20 • 2 Humpback Whales at north end Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
07:11 • Humpback Whales off bottom of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. Near red buoy. ▫ Second Hand
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jun 08 2018
19:40 • 1-2 Humpback Whales breaching;tail slaps, heading south off Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Splash and spray observed from shore between Bowser and Hornby Island approx. 2-km south of Norris Rocks. Saw breaching and tail slapping for about 10 minutes, then lost sight of them. ▫ Observed from Shore
KL, Bowser, BC
15:24 • 2 Humpback Whales by Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:10 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Mom and calf pair.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east close to the shore near Adam River, Johnstone Strait.
13:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west off Port Neville in the middle of Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy towards Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:05 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. From Wayne. ▫ Second Hand
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:25 • 1 Humpback Whales just north of the dock at Blind Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Jun 07 2018
16:20 • Humpback Whales leaving Phillips Arm. Small one.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:01 • 2 Humpback Whales between Breton Islands and Open Bay, Sutil Channel. 4-5 foot seas rolling in.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:59 • Humpback Whales a mile north of Redonda Bay, West Redonda Island, Deer Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:14 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Rebecca Spit entering Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
11:49 • Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:44 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading north Cape Mudge, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. Travelling with calf.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, BCX0565 Nick, with a calf heading north near Cape Mudge
Thu, 7 Jun 2018 – 8 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale, BCX0565 Nick, with a calf heading north near Cape Mudge
Thu, 7 Jun 2018 – 8 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Cape Mudge, Quadra Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
08:28 • 2 Humpback Whales by Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
07:37 • Humpback Whales out from Blubber Bay, Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Wed Jun 06 2018
15:45 • 3 Humpback Whales a couple of miles south of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale off of Mitlenatch Island
Wed, 6 Jun 2018 – 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale off of Mitlenatch Island
Wed, 6 Jun 2018 – 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:17 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east from Hill Island toward Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:13 • 1 Humpback Whales at Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:36 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:02 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, by Penn Islands.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:24 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east right along the shore of Bauza Cove east of Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait.
Sarah Hauser, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 06 2018
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCZ Anvil◦ moving slowly, heading south-west south of Sooke, Strait of Juan de Fuca. taking shallow and long dives. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
MO, Orca Magic
Tue Jun 12 2018
06:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east abeam Port Neville along the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait. The whale is surrounded by dolphins.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:47 • 3-4 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait.
10:31 • Humpback Whales breaching, off Venture Point, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:42 • 2 Humpback Whales north-east of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Sarah Hauser, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:41 • 2 Humpback Whales off Tibbs Point, Raza Island, Pryce Channel. Active whales. From Eagle Master. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
10:53 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off Tibbs Point, Raza Island.
Ryan Eisen, Sonora Resort
12:18 • 6 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
13:10 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ between Hill Island and Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel. Nick with her calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:54 • 2 Humpback Whales off Tibbs Point, Raza Island, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Michelle Malcolmson, Discovery Marine Safaris
16:39 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:55 • Humpback Whales west of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. Very active whale and hanging out with dolphins.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Jun 11 2018
15:46 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins at Greensea Bay on the west side of Sonora Island, Discovery Passage. Changing direction every 30 seconds.
13:16 • 15-20 PWS Dolphins heading north off Chatham Point entering Johnstone Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:52 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins in Thurston Bay, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Sun Jun 10 2018
08:30 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading south off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 08 2018
16:42 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins foraging, off Chatham Point.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:25 • PWS Dolphins heading east along the shore of West Thurlow Island abeam Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Thu Jun 07 2018
17:31 • est. 20-30 PWS Dolphins Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:00 • 40 PWS Dolphins foraging, off lighthouse at Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:25 • 10 PWS Dolphins milling, off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:27 • PWS Dolphins heading west off Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
06:50 • PWS Dolphins milling, in front of Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Jun 06 2018
14:20 • PWS Dolphins foraging, near the mouth of Loughborough Inlet.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
10:40 • est. 500 PWS Dolphins spread out between Elk Point and Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:00 • PWS Dolphins milling, off Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:07 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
07:45 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
07:05 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. Large pod.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Jun 12 2018
06:00 • est. 40-50 PWS Dolphins moving slowly, heading east across from Humpback Bay along the shore of West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
06:50 • 100 PWS Dolphins abeam Port Neville along the shore of Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait. The dolphins were surrounding a Humpback whale.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
09:47 • PWS Dolphins off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:05 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins in Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:55 • PWS Dolphins west of Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. Interacting with Humpback in the same area.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:03 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins north of Browns Bay, Discovery Passage. Heard over the radio. ▫ Second Hand
Office 2, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALLS PORPOISE
Wed Jun 06 2018
13:43 • 6 Dalls Porpoise on the Sonora side abeam Denham Bay, Cordero Channel near Dent Rapids.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:51 • Dalls Porpoise in Dent Rapids. A couple of groups.
Radio, overheard or call out
Archive Explorer
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The Magazine
REGIONAL
Global News
VIDEO Visitors to Victoria’s inner harbour get rare orca whale show Globalnews.ca – 14h ago The driver told the passengers it was the first time orcas had been in the inner harbour since 1969. The Victoria Harbour Authority isn’t so sure it dates that far back, but did day it has been decades since a sighting. "I was amazed, I was just thinking wow they…
read on
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Raincoast Conservation, BC
While welcome news in terms of waiting a decade for measures that reduce threats to these whales, the measures announced by the federal government only partially address our concerns over food availability and disturbance to the whales. The areas closed to recreational fisheries did not include a large section of the key foraging area recommended for closure by killer whale scientists. Further, DFO’s reductions to the Chinook (spring salmon) catch are not intended to increase food for whales; they are simply a response to the fact that Chinook in southern BC face a crisis.
As such, DFO’s catch reductions don’t go far enough. They are not designed to ensure that weak populations rebuild or that a minimum number of Chinook salmon reach their spawning grounds. Raincoast has seen no analysis that indicates DFO will achieve the 25-35% reduction in catch they strive for. Even though the area closures for whales don’t allow fishing, they don’t reduce the total catch or effort. There are many places adjacent to the closures that allow fishing and have no reductions in bag limits over previous years….
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The Columbian, WA
A conservation group wants the federal government to move forward with protecting offshore areas along the U.S. West Coast to help endangered killer whales.
The Center for Biological Diversity told the National Marine Fisheries Service on Wednesday that it plans to take legal action if the agency keeps delaying a designation for offshore habitat where the Puget Sound orcas would be protected.
The fish-eating whales typically spend summers in inland waters of Washington and winters foraging along the coast. They have struggled with food shortages, pollution, and noise and disturbances from boats.
There are now just 76 of the animals, a 30-year low….
read on
The Center for Biological Diversity told the National Marine Fisheries Service on Wednesday that it plans to take legal action if the agency keeps delaying a designation for offshore habitat where the Puget Sound orcas would be protected.
The fish-eating whales typically spend summers in inland waters of Washington and winters foraging along the coast. They have struggled with food shortages, pollution, and noise and disturbances from boats.
There are now just 76 of the animals, a 30-year low….
read on
The Star, ON
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/entertainment/books/2018/06/09/orca-author-has-a-personal-perspective-on-whale-crisis/orca_book.jpg)
Jason Colby has more than a historian’s perspective on the era when orca whales were trapped and sold for profit and entertainment all over the world: His father used to be a "cropper," as the fishermen of these great mammals of the Northwest called themselves.
Today an associate professor of environmental and international history at the University of Victoria, Colby, author of Orca: How We Came to Know and Love the Ocean’s Greatest Predator, was born in Victoria, B.C., but raised in the Seattle area, where he worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and Washington. His is a Northwest story, born and bred, and he tells it with the depth and passion the topic deserves….
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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Male Dolphins Form Alliances And Use Individual Names To Identify Each Other
Tech Times
Researcher on male and female bottlenose dolphins shows that their names play a role in alliances that are formed between males. Scientists aren’t sure how dolphins get their names but they develop signature whistle during their first few months of life.
Male Dolphins Form Alliances And Use Individual Names To Identify Each Other
Male Dolphins Form Alliances And Use Individual Names To Identify Each Other
Daily Post, UK
VIDEO Stunning photos show killer whales off the North Wales coast.
The two orcas were spotted by Holly Page, the RSPB and visitors at South Stack near Holyhead this afternoon.
Ceri Wyn Morris, a marine mammal specialist for Natural Resources Wales said the sighting was "very exciting".
"There have been occasional sightings of killer whales in Wales, and it is thought that these individuals are part of a group known as the West Coast Community which are normally seen around the Hebrides in Scotland.” She said.
“It is very exciting to see them off North Wales – it goes to show just how special our Welsh waters really are."
The West Coast Community consists of just eight killer whales – four males and four females – but no calves have been spotted in the pod for around 25 years….
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The two orcas were spotted by Holly Page, the RSPB and visitors at South Stack near Holyhead this afternoon.
Ceri Wyn Morris, a marine mammal specialist for Natural Resources Wales said the sighting was "very exciting".
"There have been occasional sightings of killer whales in Wales, and it is thought that these individuals are part of a group known as the West Coast Community which are normally seen around the Hebrides in Scotland.” She said.
“It is very exciting to see them off North Wales – it goes to show just how special our Welsh waters really are."
The West Coast Community consists of just eight killer whales – four males and four females – but no calves have been spotted in the pod for around 25 years….
read on
LiveScience, USA
On Tuesday morning, a fisherman off the coast of Eilat, Israel spotted something unexpected: a huge whale swimming along in the Red Sea. Experts were even more surprised to discover that the creature was a blue whale-marking the first time that the world’s largest mammal has been seen in the Red Sea, as Zafrir Rinat and Almog Ben Zikri report for Haaretz.
Two days after it popped up in Israeli waters, Egypt’s environment ministry announced that the animal had also been sighted in the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba, according to Aham Online. The ministry revealed that the whale measures 24 meters (nearly 80 feet) long, and belongs to a subspecies known as the pygmy blue whale. Monitoring teams in the South Sinai and the Red Sea have been deployed to track the whale’s movements….
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Pete Thomas Outdoors
A mostly white orca has been photographed by Russian researchers near the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea.
The rare sighting was of a leucistic female orca that had not been documented in several years.
Russian Orcas, a research group, announced the sighting early Monday on Facebook:
"On the first day of our fieldwork in the Commander Islands, we encountered a large aggregation of several groups, including one with a white individual.
"Not the famous Iceberg this time, but the female CO210 also known as “Mama Tanya’ (named after the main photo-ID researcher of our project Tatiana Ivkovich, who is also blonde)….
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The rare sighting was of a leucistic female orca that had not been documented in several years.
Russian Orcas, a research group, announced the sighting early Monday on Facebook:
"On the first day of our fieldwork in the Commander Islands, we encountered a large aggregation of several groups, including one with a white individual.
"Not the famous Iceberg this time, but the female CO210 also known as “Mama Tanya’ (named after the main photo-ID researcher of our project Tatiana Ivkovich, who is also blonde)….
read on
Sydney Morning Herald, AU
Japan has rejected condemnation over its slaughter of 122 pregnant whales in Antarctic waters, saying the “scientific” work confirmed the animals were fertile.
The annual bloodbath in the Southern Ocean made international headlines last week after Fairfax Media reported the gruesome results. The hunt takes place in Australian whale sanctuaries in contravention of international law….
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The annual bloodbath in the Southern Ocean made international headlines last week after Fairfax Media reported the gruesome results. The hunt takes place in Australian whale sanctuaries in contravention of international law….
read on