The Pectoral Fins of Humpbacks

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

The Pectoral Fins of Humpbacks


Cover Image:
Humpback showing off its fin to a boat of whale watchers

Humpback whales are intelligent and they can be playful as well as active near the surface of the water. Humpback whales have pectoral fins that can be up to 16-feet long (5-meters). Humpbacks may lift their pectoral fins out of the water and often, they will slap their fins on the water as a means to communicate or to play. What if a Humpback waved at you with his or her pectoral fins? I think you would be elated to see their fins as much as when you see a tail when a whale dove.

On a couple of days, large pods of Transient Orca were observed. Normally, Transient Orca travel in small groups of 3 to 5 members. However, larger pods do form occasionally for mating and for foraging. One pod of Transients observed this week contained approximately 16 members and the second pod had about 25 members. Pacific White-Sided dolphins were observed in a number of waterways and we have received one report of Dall’porpoise as well as Northern Resident Orca.

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 animals. 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.

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

Society News & Events
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2019-025
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Jul 13 2019
09:15 • Biggs Orca heading north at Lake Bay, Sutil Channel.
10:17 • est. 16+ Biggs Orca south of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:41 • Biggs Orca heading north at the south end of Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:20 • Biggs Orca ◦T046s,T090s◦ north end of Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:41 • Biggs Orca south of Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Tenacious 3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
11:51 • Biggs Orca at Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
12:00 • Biggs Orca off Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:09 • Biggs Orca at Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel. Big group.
12:18 • Biggs Orca at Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
12:33 • Biggs Orca heading north-east from Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
13:20 • Biggs Orca off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
13:35 • est. 3+ Biggs Orca foraging, heading east southwest of Savary Island, Georgia Strait. One is very big and another is small. They are passing by slowly going east and are perhaps feeding as they go under the surface most of the time.
Lesley and Neil Roberts
13:50 • Biggs Orca ◦T046s,T090s◦ heading north from Deer Passage towards Ramsay Arm, Pryce Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:50 • Biggs Orca in Teakerne Arm. ▫ Second Hand
14:00 • Biggs Orca leaving Deer Passage and entering Pryce Channel.
14:06 • Biggs Orca off Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
14:20 • Biggs Orca in Teakerne Arm.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:50 • Biggs Orca in Teakerne Arm. Right in front of waterfalls.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:18 • 6 Biggs Orca ◦T124C◦ hunting in Teakerne Arm. Lots of seal foraging. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:20 • Biggs Orca north of Dunsterville Point, Read Island, Hoskyn Channel.
15:36 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca spread out, heading north off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading north off of Rebecca Spit
Sat, 13 Jul 2019 – 9 items
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s heading north off of Rebecca Spit
Sat, 13 Jul 2019 – 9 items
15:44 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca heading north in Hoskyn Channel.
15:45 • Biggs Orca heading south in Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
16:45 • Biggs Orca heading south towards Refuge Cove along shore of West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
17:10 • Biggs Orca at Refuge Cove on West Redonda Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Stuart Clark, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:33 • Biggs Orca heading north off Lund, Malaspina Strait.
Vessel Misty Isle
17:34 • Biggs Orca heading south at Refuge Cove on West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
18:15 • est. 2 Biggs Orca circling prey, heading east between Texada Island and Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
CN, Powell River, BC
19:20 • Biggs Orca heading north at Dunsterville Islet, Hoskyn Channel. 5 knots.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
19:50 • 5 Biggs Orca heading north at Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel. Small fin on Orca. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Jul 14 2019
09:33 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south very close to the shore at Black (Albion) Point, Malaspina Strait. Includes a small whale.
Bill Taylor, Powell River, BC
10:15 • est. 10-15 Biggs Orca heading south at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. First sighted by Dreadlocks.
12:38 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south 1 mile west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Lots of splashing. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:37 • est. 6+ Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading east off the south-west end of Savary Island, Georgia Strait. I can’t tell how many Orca because they’re never all up at the same time but there’s at least six.
Lesley and Neil Roberts
15:00 • Biggs Orca heading south by Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. Large group of Orca. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:00 • est. 25 Biggs Orca heading south-east between Harwood Island and Mystery Reef, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
18:05 • est. 7-9 Biggs Orca breaching, heading south off Powell River mid Malaspina Strait. Other behaviors: pectoral and tail slaps, spy hopping. ▫ Observed from Shore
PS, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Around 7-9 Bigg’s heading south off of Powell River
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 5 items
PS
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Around 7-9 Bigg’s heading south off of Powell River
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 5 items
PS
18:21 • Biggs Orca heading south off the Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:50 • est. 9-10 Biggs Orca breaching, heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Breaches and all sorts of displays. Possibly a couple of Pacific White-Sided dolphins travelling with them.
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC
20:26 • 3 Biggs Orca heading south across from Myrtle Point closer to Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Jul 15 2019
08:00 • est. 20 Biggs Orca heading south off Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Information from Life Force. ▫ Second Hand
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, including T101s, heading east near Bowen Island
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 7 items
Val Watson, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Bigg’s, including T101s, heading east near Bowen Island
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 7 items
Val Watson, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Jul 13 2019
13:57 • NRKW Orca ◦A30s◦ heading west off Lizard Point, Queen Charlotte Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
HUMPBACK WHALES
Fri Jul 12 2019
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. Sleepy whale.
Sat Jul 13 2019
08:00 • Humpback Whales heading north off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
09:15 • 3 Humpback Whales at Lake Bay, Sutil Channel.
10:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point on Read Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales close to Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
Stan Novotny, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:10 • Humpback Whales at Evans Bay by Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:40 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales breaching, northwest of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
13:15 • 2 Humpback Whales off Compton Island, Blackfish Sound.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:18 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north at Coulter Bay on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. 2 a bit farther north.
14:39 • 5 Humpback Whales breaching, off Coulter Island, Sutil Channel. 1 breacher.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks off of Coulter Island
Sat, 13 Jul 2019 – 4 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks off of Coulter Island
Sat, 13 Jul 2019 – 4 items
15:16 • 4 Humpback Whales in front of Coulter Bay on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Little Bear Bay, Johnstone Strait. Mom and calf.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
16:00 • 4 Humpback Whales spread out, around Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
16:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south abeam Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:26 • 1 Humpback Whales between Centre Islet and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
16:31 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Center Islet, Sutil Channel.
16:51 • 1 Humpback Whales on Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:15 • 4 Humpback Whales outside Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
17:45 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
18:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
20:20 • 6 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC,BCZ0338 Geometry◦ doing circles, between Carrington Bay and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Two whales heading south while others are circling.
Sun Jul 14 2019
08:20 • Humpback Whales near Baker Passage.
08:26 • Humpback Whales off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
08:31 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west just east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
08:32 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north at Hidden Harbour, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Reported by a friend from shore. ▫ Second Hand
08:45 • 2 Humpback Whales out front of April Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
08:53 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
10:29 • 2 Humpback Whales by Owen Bay, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:29 • 2 Humpback Whales off Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
11:09 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ just north of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy approaching Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Niagara observed with a friend.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks and an orca off of Mitlenatch Island
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Humpback Whales
Two Humpbacks and an orca off of Mitlenatch Island
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
11:59 • 3 Humpback Whales in Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:38 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south 1 mile west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Lots of splashing. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:45 • 1 Humpback Whales at Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
12:53 • 3 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
13:45 • 2 Humpback Whales bucking tide, Okisollo Channel. Seen in Okisollo rapids just south of the standing wave.
14:30 • Humpback Whales bucking tide, near Bentley Rock, Okisollo Channel.
15:11 • 2 Humpback Whales at Bentley Rock.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:25 • Humpback Whales south of Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south between Vivian Island, Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:30 • Humpback Whales at Menace Rock in Hemming Bay, Nodales Channel.
15:34 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, south of Seymour Narrows heading towards Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
15:49 • 1 Humpback Whales 1 mile off northwest tip of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
15:52 • 1 Humpback Whales between Race Point and Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
16:12 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:44 • 5 Humpback Whales heading south from the Quadra Island Scallop Farm towards Dogfish Bay, Sutil Channel.
Elvis Chikite, Big Animal Encounters
20:26 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south across from Myrtle Point close to Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Mon Jul 15 2019
08:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south from Burdwood Bay towards Center Islet, Sutil Channel.
08:45 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales foraging, at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Quick ups and long downs.
08:50 • 2 Humpback Whales off Copper Bluffs, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
09:01 • Humpback Whales moving quickly, off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Race Point, Discovery Passage. Mother-calf pair.
09:40 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales south-east of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
09:41 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:34 • 2 Humpback Whales off the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
11:03 • 3 Humpback Whales one mile west of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
11:05 • 2 Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
11:05 • 5 Humpback Whales around the Spoil Grounds, Georgia Strait. A group of 3 and a pair further north.
11:05 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
11:06 • 1 Humpback Whales at Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:00 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south in Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:04 • 7 Humpback Whales about 1.25 miles from Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
18:30 • 8 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Moray,BCY0291 KC,BCZ0298 Split Fin◦ off Cortez Reef.
18:30 • 12 Humpback Whales between Francisco Point and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait. Very active.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback mugging a whale watching a boat
Mon, 15 Jul 2019 – 10 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback mugging a whale watching a boat
Mon, 15 Jul 2019 – 10 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Pair of Humpbacks near Gabriola Island
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 3 items
Cheyenne Brewster, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Pair of Humpbacks near Gabriola Island
Sun, 14 Jul 2019 – 3 items
Cheyenne Brewster, Vancouver Island Whale Watch
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Jul 13 2019
13:15 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins off Sonora Island Fish Farm, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
13:15 • est. 60 PWS Dolphins doing circles, near Sonora Island Fish Farm.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Jul 14 2019
10:51 • PWS Dolphins heading north approaching Bullock Bluff, Lewis Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
12:21 • est. 80 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading south along Rendezvous Islands pointing at Lewis Channel, Calm Channel.
12:45 • est. 40+ PWS Dolphins, Calm Channel. Seen just passing Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:45 • PWS Dolphins heading south, Calm Channel. Observed abeam Deer Passage angled at Bullock Bluff. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:55 • est. 25+ PWS Dolphins, Calm Channel. Located 1000 meters off shore near Hole in the Wall (channel).
13:27 • PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Frederick Arm.
14:32 • PWS Dolphins at the mouth of Bute Inlet.
14:48 • PWS Dolphins in front of Hole in the Wall, Calm Channel. Heading towards Old Churchhouse.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jul 15 2019
10:06 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins between Penn Islands, Rendezvous Islands, Sutil Channel.
10:44 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Vansittart Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:05 • PWS Dolphins on the west shore of Raza Island, Calm Channel. Small group. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:49 • est. 70 PWS Dolphins heading south from Browns Bay toward Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. After a while, they changed direction and were heading north.
Jason Fitzgerald, Eagle Eye Adventures
DALLS PORPOISE
Sat Jul 13 2019
13:20 • est. 6 Dalls Porpoise off Hanson Island, Johnstone Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River

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