Humpback Whale Entanglements!

A publication of Wild Ocean Whale Society (WOWs)

Humpback Whale Entanglements!


Cover Image:
Humpback Whale – BCY Checkmate – entangled with blue poly line around its dorsal fin

Similar to our previous publication, the majority of sighting reports received this past week were of Humpback whales in upper Georgia Strait and in Sutil Channel. With a definite increase in the number of Humpbacks in those waterways (and other waterways around BC), there will be an increase in whale entanglements. Last weekend on July 25 and 26, three Humpback whales were reported entangled. Our cover image shows one Humpback whale nicknamed “Checkmate” with polypropylene rope (polyline) around its body. The DFO disentanglement crew were unsuccessful in freeing the whale of the rope. However, the DFO team was successful the next day in removing approximately 200 feet of rope from a Humpback calf -this is after 10 hours of work, staying with the whales as they swam about 70-80 km throughout the day. Find out more about the entanglements in the Magazine section.

For those of you who set crab traps and prawn traps, you can decrease the chances of whale entanglements in your gear by using rope/lines that do not float, such as polyline. Know the depth of the water where you are setting your traps and ensure your line is weighed down properly without excessive line in the water. ANYONE who sees an entangled whale, dolphin, or porpoise can report it directly to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans at 1-800-465-4336.

Of note is on the morning July 23, Southern Resident Orca were travelling southward in Discovery Passage and passed Campbell River. The group consisted of whales from K-pod as well as L-pod, and the group included about 20 members. It is unclear where they went after entering Georgia Strait.

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.

Society News & Events
COVID-19 Updates:
We've all been hit hard during this pandemic and WOWs greatly appreciates your kind donations helping us maintain our society work. Eco tour and whale watching companies are operating at reduced capacity. As you can see from our reports, they are on the water, providing us with much needed sightings information. You might consider a trip with them during your local 'stay-cation'. Stay safe and healthy. Event schedules will be posted as they become available.
Our yearly Dwight Hall fundraising dinner, instrumental to maintain all of our basic programs and online presence, cancelled for 2020, is scheduled for April 24, 2021. We trust that by then we will be able to hold a successful event. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-016
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Thu Jul 23 2020
08:25 • 2 Biggs Orca at Granite Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
11:30 • est. 1-2 Biggs Orca heading south against the ebb in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jul 24 2020
19:30 • 4 Biggs Orca milling, near Lyall Island, Chancellor Channel. Observed 1 big fin. Had caught a seal.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Thu Jul 23 2020
07:45 • est. 20 SRKW Orca heading south at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:20 • SRKW Orca spread out, heading south off Duncan Bay near Campbell River mid Discovery Passage.
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales – K pod & L pod – passing Campbell River
Thu, 23 Jul 2020 – 4 items
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales – K pod & L pod – passing Campbell River
Thu, 23 Jul 2020 – 4 items
08:54 • SRKW Orca abeam Grouse Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
08:58 • SRKW Orca ◦K Pod,L Pod◦ passing by Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales – K pod & L pod – cruising past Campbell River
Thu, 23 Jul 2020 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
Southern Resident Killer Whales
Southern Resident Killer Whales – K pod & L pod – cruising past Campbell River
Thu, 23 Jul 2020 – 2 items
Wayne Wright, Campbell River, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Thu Jul 23 2020
06:30 • est. 3+ Orca heading south just south of Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.
07:20 • est. 4-5 Orca along the Quadra shore, just now entering Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. One big fin.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Jul 21 2020
09:40 • Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Whaletown, Sutil Channel. Seen near Cortes ferry line.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
10:18 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, middle of the Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:45 • 1 Humpback Whales just north of the Spoil Grounds heading for Willow Point, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
11:12 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, a mile off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
11:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north near Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
12:41 • 3 Humpback Whales around North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. One of the humpbacks was by itself, mid-channel, one was a mom and calf heading southbound.
12:41 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Cirque◦ around Toba Mountain, Calm Channel.
12:45 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. It was sitting on the surface of the water for elongated periods of time, as well as breaching and then diving. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Caitlin Duffy, Campbell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Breaching by the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Caitlin Duffy, Campbell River, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Breaching by the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Caitlin Duffy, Campbell River, BC
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
13:12 • 6 Humpback Whales around Quadra Island Scallop Farm and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Humpback Whales
Humpback near Quadra Island, Sutil Channel
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Humpback Whales
Humpback near Quadra Island, Sutil Channel
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 – 1 items
13:40 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Cirque◦ under Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
13:40 • 2 Humpback Whales approaching Frances Bay from Raza Passage.
16:30 • 8 Humpback Whales at Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
17:08 • 1 Humpback Whales at the north end of Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Wed Jul 22 2020
08:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south, Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
08:58 • Humpback Whales off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait. Numerous Humpbacks. ▫ Second Hand
09:27 • 2 Humpback Whales southeast of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
10:10 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of Coulter Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:06 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, on northwest side of Bartlett Islet, Calm Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
12:16 • 5 Humpback Whales on the west side of Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Raza Island, Calm Channel
Wed, 22 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks by Raza Island, Calm Channel
Wed, 22 Jul 2020 – 1 items
12:43 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south just south of the Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
12:53 • 3 Humpback Whales heading east, Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
13:28 • Humpback Whales breaching, north of Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
13:44 • Humpback Whales near the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. Blows were seen.
13:45 • 1 Humpback Whales pectoral slapping middle of Calm Channel.
13:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
14:05 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
15:05 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:12 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, heading north east of Cape Mudge Lighthouse on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. Shallow and deep dives, then multiple breaching. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
ER, Vancouver, BC
15:55 • 11 Humpback Whales breaching, between Mitlenatch Island and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. All spread out.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching near Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel
Wed, 22 Jul 2020 – 6 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching near Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel
Wed, 22 Jul 2020 – 6 items
Thu Jul 23 2020
08:30 • 1 Humpback Whales at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:46 • 2 Humpback Whales at Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
09:22 • Humpback Whales heading north off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
09:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east at Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
10:15 • Humpback Whales off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
10:18 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west mid channel off south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
11:15 • 3 Humpback Whales mid channel off the Quadra Island cell tower, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:00 • Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
14:20 • Humpback Whales off Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
14:45 • Humpback Whales at Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:50 • est. 8-10 Humpback Whales in the area of Hill Island, Viner Point, Whaletown and Center Islet, Sutil Channel.
15:50 • Humpback Whales near Rebecca Spit, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
18:10 • 1 Humpback Whales off Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
18:38 • 3 Humpback Whales on the ferry line between Heriot Bay Ferry Terminal and Whaletown Ferry Terminal mid Sutil Channel. Active.
Fri Jul 24 2020
07:00 • Humpback Whales on the west side of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
07:00 • Humpback Whales just south of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
07:00 • 3 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Baker Passage, Georgia Strait. About 3 nautical miles from the Green Can.
07:15 • Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
07:15 • 2 Humpback Whales between Subtle Islands and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
07:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off South Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.
07:30 • 1 Humpback Whales tight to Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
09:18 • 2 Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, at the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
09:45 • 2 Humpback Whales 800 meters south of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy.
10:27 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south-east on Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait
Fri, 24 Jul 2020 – 2 items
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks near Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait
Fri, 24 Jul 2020 – 2 items
11:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit near Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel. VHF report. ▫ Second Hand
11:35 • 1 Humpback Whales in Redonda Bay, Deer Passage.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
11:45 • 1 Humpback Whales mid Sutil Channel.
11:45 • Humpback Whales off Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:10 • 3 Humpback Whales in Calm Channel. Observed north of Lewis Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:15 • 3 Humpback Whales south of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. Just north of the ferry line.
12:20 • Humpback Whales breaching, between Rendezvous Islands and Raza Point, Calm Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:27 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
13:49 • 3 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
14:06 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, southwest of Raza Island, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:35 • 2 Humpback Whales in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel. Straitwatch on the scene.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
15:27 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales north end of Rendezvous Islands abeam Raza Passage, Calm Channel.
16:13 • 2 Humpback Whales top of North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel. A mom and a calf.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
16:15 • 6 Humpback Whales near Read Island, Sutil Channel.
16:15 • 2 Humpback Whales mid Sutil Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
17:00 • 8 Humpback Whales between Centre Islet and Burdwood Bay, Sutil Channel. Grouped up together.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Jul 25 2020
07:45 • 2 Humpback Whales halfway between Powell River Viewpoint and Grilse Point, Malaspina Strait. Loud pec slaps heard.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales close to shore on the south side of the Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Checkmate◦ near Centre Islet, Sutil Channel. The whale had a blue half inch poly line wrapped near its dorsal fin. It has appeared to have freed itself at 1140 am. Straitwatch is on scene.
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale – BCY Checkmate – entangled with blue poly line around its dorsal fin
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 3 items
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale – BCY Checkmate – entangled with blue poly line around its dorsal fin
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 3 items
12:09 • Humpback Whales by Powell Islets, Malaspina Strait.
12:40 • 3 Humpback Whales bucking tide, at Kellsey Point, Yuculta Rapids.
12:51 • Humpback Whales breaching, at the west end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. Multiple humpbacks seen.
Ron Johnston, Savary Island, BC
12:59 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, between the two north islands of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
13:39 • 3 Humpback Whales tight to the shore, just south of Sonora Resort on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
14:06 • 2 Humpback Whales at Coulter Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
14:06 • 2 Humpback Whales at Carrington Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
14:06 • 1 Humpback Whales south of Hill Island heading for Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
15:57 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south to Rendezvous Islands in Calm Channel. Humpbacks were sleepy.
16:29 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Centre Islet towards Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
16:48 • 1 Humpback Whales on the mainland side of Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:56 • 1 Humpback Whales off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
17:01 • 1 Humpback Whales mid-channel off Marina Reef.
17:07 • 1 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. One blow seen.
17:30 • 1 Humpback Whales about 1/4 mile off shore south of Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
18:25 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY Slits,BCZ Lucky◦ bubble netting, along the Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – BCZ Lucky & BCY Slits – bubble-netting by Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 5 items

Humpback Whales
Humpbacks – BCZ Lucky & BCY Slits – bubble-netting by Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 5 items
18:57 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south on the Powell River side of Blubber Bay, Malaspina Strait. Mom and calf seen.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
19:51 • Humpback Whales heading north along the ferry line out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. Blows were lit up by the sun.
20:28 • 3 Humpback Whales to the west of Rebecca Rocks, Georgia Strait. Two whales together and one blow seen farther out.
20:41 • 4 Humpback Whales back and forth, between Rebecca Rocks and Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Sun Jul 26 2020
16:16 • 4 Humpback Whales heading south 1.5-NM off the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Big Animal Encounters
16:44 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait. This whale is entangled and DFO is on-site working to free the whale. ▫ Second Hand
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching!
Wed, 22 Jul 2020 – 5 items
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks breaching!
Wed, 22 Jul 2020 – 5 items
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Jul 21 2020
11:50 • est. 40+ PWS Dolphins inside Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
15:31 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins across from Horn Point, near the shore at Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Sonara Island, Dent Rapids
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 – 7 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Sonara Island, Dent Rapids
Tue, 21 Jul 2020 – 7 items
18:56 • PWS Dolphins between Chatham Point and Turn Island, Johnstone Strait. Small pod observed.
Eliot Richter, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Jul 22 2020
12:45 • PWS Dolphins off Howe Island, Nodales Channel. Small pod.
13:45 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel. Small group.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu Jul 23 2020
08:30 • est. 15 PWS Dolphins at Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:00 • PWS Dolphins heading south between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Big group and active.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:45 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins between Dent Island and Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jul 24 2020
11:20 • PWS Dolphins at Gomer Island, Nodales Channel. A large number.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:28 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading towards Owen Point, Frederick Arm.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Owen Point, Frederick Arm
Fri, 24 Jul 2020 – 4 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins by Owen Point, Frederick Arm
Fri, 24 Jul 2020 – 4 items
15:05 • PWS Dolphins milling, at Hall Point, Sonora Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Sat Jul 25 2020
11:30 • est. 75+ PWS Dolphins feeding and very active, north of Denham Islet, Dent Rapids.
12:35 • PWS Dolphins in Denham Bay, Dent Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:05 • est. 40+ PWS Dolphins milling, at Denham Bay. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Denham Bay
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 2 items
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Denham Bay
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 2 items
14:08 • est. 50+ PWS Dolphins close to shore halfway between Denham Bay and Frederick Arm, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:22 • PWS Dolphins at Gomer Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins leaping through the air!
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 4 items

SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins leaping through the air!
Sat, 25 Jul 2020 – 4 items
DALLS PORPOISE
Fri Jul 24 2020
09:00 • Dalls Porpoise heading south off Purcell Point, Bute Inlet. A handfull of porpoises.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Wed Jul 22 2020
14:50 • Harbour Porpoise heading south, Mace Point, Savary Island, Malaspina Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Jul 24 2020
10:57 • est. 3-5 Harbour Porpoise west of Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, Georgia Strait. Initially, they were about 200-m from shore. Then they were seen milling in an area starting at 11:06am for about 5 minutes approximately 500-m from shore.
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC

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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
Rescuers removing fishing gear from entangled Humpback whales near Vancouver Island
CTV News
COURTENAY — Crews from the department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) had a busy weekend trying to track and remove gear from three entangled Humpback whales near Vancouver Island….
read on

Watch thousands of beluga whales migrate through this live underwater camera
DailyHive
While you’re physical distancing, why not get a good view of beluga whales underwater?

For the seventh consecutive year, Polar Bears International (PBI) will host Arctic Sea Day on July 15 to raise awareness for the melting Arctic. According to PBI, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, causing the sea ice to melt….
read on

Northern Right Whales Are on the Brink, and Trump Could Be Their Last Hope
The New York Times
WASHINGTON – When boaters spotted a dead North Atlantic right whale off Elberon, N.J., on June 25, marine biologists quickly established the identity of the hulking gray carcass.

With only about 400 such whales left in the world, every individual is known to researchers and cataloged….
read on

Good news from Salish Sea: J pod is back in its summer haunt
KUOW
The orcas are back in the Puget Sound region again. The endangered J pod has spend the past week near San Juan Island and other inland waters.

Members of the endangered J pod have been swimming back and forth near the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island since July 4. The southern resident orcas have spent less and less time in the Salish Sea, where they are summer residents, due to a lack of food in recent years….
read on

SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
Rare hybrid whale spotted off coast of Santa Rosa Island
KEYT-TV
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – While cruising along the coast of Santa Rosa Island, Condor Express crews came across a rare sight, a hybrid whale appropriately named, ‘Flue.’…
read on

Two species of rare beaked whales beached in Maine within weeks of each other
Portland Press Herald
Lynda Doughty was surprised when one of the ocean’s rarest and least understood whale species washed ashore in York last month, and even more astonished when another subspecies of the whale was stranded in Phippsburg just a few weeks later.

These whales, known as beaked whales for their long, beaked dolphin-like nose, are so elusive that there have been just four beaked whales documented in Maine waters in the past 20 years….
read on

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