Dolphin Leaps and Northern Resident Orca

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Dolphin Leaps and Northern Resident Orca


Cover Image:
Pacific White Sided Dolphins jumping like popcorn off of Denham Islet

Many pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins were observed, of which the largest pod was estimated to have around 200 dolphins. These dolphins are very playful and can leap out of the water reaching heights of close to 4-meters above the surface of the water. Of note is Pacific White-Sided dolphins that were travelling with Orca, which were members of the Northern Resident Orca population. The Resident Orca were observed in Johnstone Strait and these Orca eat fish, mainly salmon. Only one confirmed sighting of Transient Orca (mammal-eating) was received; in contrast, we received well over 90 sightings reports of Humpback whales in their usual waterways and channels. Rounding our report are four sightings of Dall’s porpoise and one sighting of Harbour porpoise.

Boaters, please use caution on the water. Effective June 1st, Federal laws require boats to remain at least 400-m away when viewing Orca and for other Cetaceans, laws require boats to remain at least 100-m from the whales/dolphins. Remember N.E.W.S. when you see a whale, meaning put your boat in NEUTRAL, ENJOY the view, WAIT till the whales are at a fair distance, and then SLOWLY leave the scene.

Note that the release of our regular publications will be interrupted over the next few weeks. Your reports of Cetacean sightings will be processed still but at a slower rate, due to the changes of the availability of our volunteers.

We acknowledge that our sightings map and archive map are not fully functional at this time, and we are working to resolve the issue.

WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.

Society News & Events
Whales and Dolphins BC Website:
Teaching Resources: We continue to update lessons, activities and resources on our website. Teachers can download information as needed for classes.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-027
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sun Jul 21 2019
07:18 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south mid-channel from Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T077s and T065As, having a “T-Party” in the middle of the Strait of Georgia
Mon, 22 Jul 2019 – 5 items
Rebeka Pirker, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, T077s and T065As, having a “T-Party” in the middle of the Strait of Georgia
Mon, 22 Jul 2019 – 5 items
Rebeka Pirker, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Another group of Bigg’s, T0124As and T086A1, having a “T-Party” in the Georgia Strait
Mon, 22 Jul 2019 – 6 items
Val Watson, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Another group of Bigg’s, T0124As and T086A1, having a “T-Party” in the Georgia Strait
Mon, 22 Jul 2019 – 6 items
Val Watson, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Mon Jul 22 2019
13:01 • NRKW Orca milling, just off Foster Island, Queen Charlotte Strait.
Tue Jul 23 2019
11:45 • est. 30 NRKW Orca ◦A30s◦ heading east off St. Vincent Bight, Johnstone Strait.
12:00 • NRKW Orca heading east off Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. Smaller group.
13:15 • est. 20 NRKW Orca milling, west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
13:30 • NRKW Orca outside Port Neville. With Pacific White-Sided Dolphins. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sun Jul 21 2019
07:30 • est. 4-5 Orca milling, heading east by Departure Bay Ferry Terminal, Nanaimo, Georgia Strait. Heading toward Newcastle Channel. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
BF, Master Sailing Vessel Summer Sky
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Jul 20 2019
16:25 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off south end of Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:35 • Humpback Whales just south of Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
16:45 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ moving quickly, heading south past Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
17:02 • 2 Humpback Whales a mile south of Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
19:30 • 8 Humpback Whales between North Rendezvous Island and Raza Passage, Calm Channel.
19:52 • 4 Humpback Whales 1 mile off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
21:09 • 2 Humpback Whales at entrance to Evans Bay, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sun Jul 21 2019
06:30 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, at the south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Very active. ▫ Leaving the Scene
07:10 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north, north of Rendezvous Islands and more blows seen by Raza Point, Calm Channel. Sleepy. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:09 • 4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:14 • 2 Humpback Whales between middle Rendezvous Islands and Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
09:32 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 mile off Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
09:50 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ 1.8 nm off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. 1.6 nm off Breton Islands. Moving towards Viner.
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east mid-channel in Deer Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:15 • Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. From T3. ▫ Second Hand
11:20 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, close to shore at Raza Point, Calm Channel.
11:58 • 3 Humpback Whales off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:17 • 1 Humpback Whales at the entrance to Refuge Cove, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
12:30 • 1 Humpback Whales off Dent Island heading towards Jimmy Judd Island mid-channel in Dent Rapids.
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales 1.5 km off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:27 • 2 Humpback Whales close to the shore of Raza Island, Raza Passage. Mother and calf.
13:27 • 2 Humpback Whales close to the shore of Raza Island. Mom and calf pair.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:47 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ milling, between Jimmy Judd Island and Dent Island, Dent Rapids. Five minute dives.
Ryan Stewart, Sonora Resort
15:18 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ doing circles, in Vancouver Bay, Arran Rapids. 8 minutes dives.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:20 • 1 Humpback Whales off Johnstone Bluff, Calm Channel.
15:45 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 mile southeast of Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:52 • 4 Humpback Whales south of Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:30 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:31 • 1 Humpback Whales between Center Islet and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
16:32 • 1 Humpback Whales near Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
16:34 • 1 Humpback Whales off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:43 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit
Sun, 21 Jul 2019 – 1 items
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit
Sun, 21 Jul 2019 – 1 items
Mon Jul 22 2019
07:42 • Humpback Whales abeam the cell tower near Yaculta, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Whirlpool Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids. Not really moving; they’ve been there for 30 minutes. ▫ Second Hand
08:25 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:25 • Humpback Whales straight out from Big Rock, Campbell River, Georgia Strait. Seen from the highway. ▫ Observed from Shore
08:30 • Humpback Whales south of Race Point, Discovery Passage.
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Bumpy◦ heading north off Campbell River, Anchor Inn, Discovery Passage.
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south past Tyee Spit, Discovery Passage.
09:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at 3 knots close to the the shore of Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Short dives.
09:40 • 2 Humpback Whales, Drew Harbour.
09:47 • 2 Humpback Whales, one southbound and one northbound crossing at Campbell River Cruiseship Dock, Discovery Passage.
10:00 • Humpback Whales off Taku Resort in Drew Harbour. Facebook post. ▫ Second Hand
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
10:05 • 1 Humpback Whales in the current behind Jimmy Judd Island, Dent Rapids.
10:10 • 2 Humpback Whales near the top of Rebecca Spit leaving Drew Harbour.
10:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north straight out from the old ferry dock at Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
10:19 • 1 Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:41 • Humpback Whales just north of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:44 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, under Toba Mountain in Calm Channel. Close to shore.
10:53 • 2 Humpback Whales came all the way into the head and boat ramp at Drew Harbour. Slowly working their way around boats by spit.
11:05 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading west past Center Islet pointing at Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm at Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:26 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX1258 Crescent◦ leaving Drew Harbour, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
12:44 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rendezvous Islands and Raza Passage mid channel Calm Channel.
13:02 • 3 Humpback Whales heading for the ferry line off Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:14 • Humpback Whales heading south at Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south half mile off Rotary Beach Park in Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north mid channel at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
14:00 • 3 Humpback Whales on ferry line one nautical mile off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
14:10 • Humpback Whales breaching; tail slaps, at the south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
14:15 • Humpback Whales heading south at Big Rock, Georgia Strait. From radio. ▫ Second Hand
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:45 • Humpback Whales heading south at Stimpson Reef west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
15:21 • 4 Humpback Whales taking long dives, scattered around Viner Point, Reed Point and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
15:21 • 2 Humpback Whales one quarter mile south of Hill Island headed slowly toward Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, between Marina Island and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
15:45 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, at Read Point, Sutil Channel. Only one whale was breaching. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Tue Jul 23 2019
07:00 • 4 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading south, Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. One stayed near Whaletown.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
07:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
07:40 • Humpback Whales between Twin Islands and Copeland Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
08:20 • 2 Humpback Whales near Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
09:35 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:44 • 3 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island.
09:54 • 2 Humpback Whales off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
09:56 • 2 Humpback Whales tail slaps, off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
10:26 • 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait. Possible entanglement.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
10:57 • Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading north between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:17 • Humpback Whales approaching the Pinnacles south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. Entangled whales.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Humpback Whales
Entangled Humpback near the Pinnacles south of Sentry Shoal
Tue, 23 Jul 2019 – 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Humpback Whales
Entangled Humpback near the Pinnacles south of Sentry Shoal
Tue, 23 Jul 2019 – 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:24 • Humpback Whales between Whaletown and Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel. in the ferry line.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:38 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south between Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy and Shelter Point, Georgia Strait.
12:14 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south through Whale Passage off Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:23 • 2 Humpback Whales near Frances Bay in Raza Passage.
12:58 • 1 Humpback Whales near Read Point, Sutil Channel.
Humpback Whales
Humpback near Read Point
Tue, 23 Jul 2019 – 2 items
Humpback Whales
Humpback near Read Point
Tue, 23 Jul 2019 – 2 items
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading west across from Mermaid Bay off Sonora Island, Dent Rapids. Moving with the ebb. ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:59 • est. 4 Humpback Whales between Grant Reefs and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
14:25 • 1 Humpback Whales abeam Evans Bay off Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
14:28 • 2 Humpback Whales off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales, Sutil Channel. South of the Ferry line.
16:33 • 3 Humpback Whales at Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. One calf in the group.
16:33 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, closer to Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Information from Elvis. ▫ Second Hand
16:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards Kitty Coleman Beach Park, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
17:13 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ bucking tide, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback just north of the Penn Islands
Fri, 19 Jul 2019 – 6 items
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventure
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback just north of the Penn Islands
Fri, 19 Jul 2019 – 6 items
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventure
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sun Jul 21 2019
04:30 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Frederick Arm.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:08 • PWS Dolphins at Owen Bay, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:15 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins abeam Yorke Island, Johnstone Strait.
13:03 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins off of Denham Islet
Sun, 21 Jul 2019 – 5 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins off of Denham Islet
Sun, 21 Jul 2019 – 5 items
13:16 • 30 PWS Dolphins south of Surge Narrows near Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel. Across from the kayak resort.
Bill Coltart, Big Animal Encounters
14:00 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
16:07 • PWS Dolphins approaching Hall Point from Frederick Arm. At 16:11, the dolphins were heading east toward Denham Islet. Large pod.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:50 • 20 PWS Dolphins between the Marina Island shack and Whaletown, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Jul 22 2019
06:30 • PWS Dolphins at Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. Lots of them.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:42 • PWS Dolphins mid channel at the mouth of Frederick Arm. ▫ Second Hand
08:42 • PWS Dolphins at the back of Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand
09:33 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins just inside Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
09:54 • PWS Dolphins heading west past Owen Point leaving Frederick Arm, Nodales Channel. Large group.
13:30 • est. 70 PWS Dolphins in the area of Cordero Lodge NE of Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
14:25 • PWS Dolphins heading west at 9 knots off Lyall Island, Chancellor Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:35 • PWS Dolphins heading east at 9 knots in Chancellor Channel. Information from Dreds. ▫ Second Hand
16:00 • PWS Dolphins back and forth east of Chancellor Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tue Jul 23 2019
11:50 • PWS Dolphins heading east off Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
12:48 • PWS Dolphins off Hickey Point, Johnstone Strait. With Orca. Huge group of dolphins.
13:30 • PWS Dolphins outside Port Neville, Johnstone Strait. With Resident Orca. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:45 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins near Gomer Island and Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:15 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins spread out, heading east, Johns Point, Nodales Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
DALLS PORPOISE
Sat Jul 20 2019
16:55 • Dalls Porpoise playing, between Dent Island and Little Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Jul 21 2019
05:00 • Dalls Porpoise playing, Yuculta Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
15:36 • Dalls Porpoise just past Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jul 22 2019
16:18 • 8 Dalls Porpoise in the area of Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Jul 23 2019
14:46 • Harbour Porpoise abeam Oyster Bay, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours

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