Can’t Miss the Humpback Whales!
Humpback whales can be seen in many areas around British Columbia, and it is no different in and around Sutil Channel as well as upper Georgia Strait. Although the exact number of Humpback whales in the mentioned areas can not be determined, we know that many of them tend to remain in the same waterways for extended periods of time – some even for the duration of the summer. Many Humpbacks were seen breaching, with a few continuously breaching and putting on a show for observers. A number of mother and calf pairs were also observed.
Not many sighting reports were received of Orca possibly because they were displaced by the Humpback whales in the area. There were a number of Pacific White-Sided dolphin pods reported with a few of them travelling close to shore. The largest pod of dolphins included approximately 50 members. One pod of Dall’s porpoises was observed with approximately 20 individuals near Thurston Bay, Sonora Island. Another pod with about 30 Harbour porpoises was seen near Oyster Bay. For both porpoise species, pods with these sizes are rare as they tend to remain in small groups (6-10 porpoises per pod).
Boaters, please use caution on the water. 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.
The Federal Government (DFO) has issued the following statement about watching whales in the wild: “To address disturbance in the presence of whales, a mandatory 400-metre vessel approach distance for all killer whales is in effect starting June 1, 2020 in all southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. The Marine Mammal Regulations continue to remain in effect year-round, including maintaining a minimum 200 metre approach distance from all killer whales in Canadian Pacific waters other than described above, and 100 metres for other whales, porpoises and dolphins OR 200 metres when the animal is in resting position or with a calf.”
WOWs works throught the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
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