Plentiful Humpbacks!
Cover Image:
Humpback Whale Showing Off
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Of the 126 sightings we received this week, 99 of them were of Humpback whales. There are many more Humpback whales out there around British Columbia and it is an amazing conservation story to see their population rebounding to healthy levels from where it was over 40 years ago.
A number of Humpback whales were observed breaching. The cover image shows a Humpback whale just about to re-enter the water after breaching with its underside (ventral side) facing up, and you can see the pleats on its underside. These pleats or creases allows the underside to expand significantly when the whale is foraging so the whale can take in a large amount of water with prey into its mouth. Blue whales and Fin whales are from the same family as Humpback whales and they also have pleats on its lower jaw. Also observed were a number of Humpback mother and calf pairs; calves usually stay with their mothers up to one year before they seperate from them.
Transient Orca were observed a lot less than usual. On June 26th, a larger pod of about 20 Transient Orca was observed in Discovery Passage. One pod of Transient Orca swam into Departure Bay in Nanaimo on June 27, stayed for a short time, and departed; they were observable from land. The T046B pod was observed a few times which includes a younger Orca that is white in colour (ID #T046B1B). This pod was seen near Powell River on the evening of July 1st and a couple of days later on July 3rd, they were seen in Howe Sound near Langdale. Then on July 5th, the T046B’s were near Mitlenatch Island – go down to our Magazine Section and read about an amazing encounter with them! They really travel around quite a bit!
Rounding our report are sightings of Pacific White-Sided dolphins and Dall’s porpoise. Dall’s porpoises appeared in Sechelt Inlet and at the north end of Loughborough Inlet, which are rare occurrences.
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.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Society News & Events
COVID-19 Updates:
We hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Updated 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, has been cancelled for 2020 and is now scheduled for April 24, 2021. We are trusting that by then we will be able to hold a successful event. Your donations are greatly needed and appreciated.
Instagram and Twitter:
Instagram at Wildoceanwhalesociety and Twitter at WhalesDolphins accounts. Follow us for regular updates and photos.
Coming Soon:
Our New Archive Dataset Interface is in the works, but we don't want to hold up any ongoing research. To access 21,000+ sightings in our database in a downloadable csv file for use in a spreadsheet, please Click Here. to fill in your request.
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. Have you taken our Orca and Humpback Quizzes yet?
Real Time Monitoring Station Live Update
Our Cetacean Web Camera YouTube Channel is live. We continue live streaming from our Powell River camera.
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?
Review our current Volunteer Job Postings
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2020-013
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Fri Jun 26 2020
–:– • est. 20 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs,T023s,T100s,T101s◦ in Discovery Passage. T002Cs stayed by themselves, the other pods were together in one group.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
17:00 • est. 6 Biggs Orca breaching, heading north-east towards Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sonya Szoczei, Campbell River, BC
Sat Jun 27 2020
17:45 • est. 6 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north-east off Jesse Island, Nanaimo Harbour. I live on Cilaire Bluff and saw two groups of 3 Orca in Departure Bay from my deck. They entered Departure Bay, swam alongside Jesse Island, and then turned around and swam back up toward the mouth of the bay alongside Jesse Island. No activity other than travel. One of the Orca was small and very pale – maybe T46B1B. ▫ Observed from Shore
AGS, Nanaimo, BC
Wed Jul 01 2020
12:22 • Biggs Orca heading north at Goose Spit, Comox, Baynes Sound.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:40 • est. 5-6 Biggs Orca moving quickly, heading north-west mid-way between Black (Albion) Point and Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. Travelling in a very tight group. Females and two young. No male observed but a male could have been ahead of the group and out of sight. Lots of tail lobbing. ▫ Observed from Shore
Liz Kennedy, Powell River, BC
17:25 • Biggs Orca heading north off Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:09 • Biggs Orca ◦T046B1B,T046Bs◦ spread out, heading north passing Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. Fair number of orca and the white orca (T046B1B).
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales by Grief Point Park, Powell River
Wed, 1 Jul 2020 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales by Grief Point Park, Powell River
Wed, 1 Jul 2020 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
21:19 • Biggs Orca ◦T046Bs◦ heading north going past Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. One of the T46Bs has new prop damage to her head.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Thu Jul 02 2020
14:40 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north just past Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Natalie Evans, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Jul 03 2020
14:31 • Biggs Orca ◦T046B1B,T046B1s◦ heading east between Cotton Point and Hutt Island, Collingwood Channel. White Orca (T046B1B) was seen.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:40 • Biggs Orca heading north off Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:43 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T125,T128◦ heading north by the We Wai Kai Village, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T125A and T128, near Quadra Island
Fri, 3 Jul 2020 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales, T125A and T128, near Quadra Island
Fri, 3 Jul 2020 – 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jun 22 2020
15:00 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, diving, off Gabriola Reefs, Georgia Strait. Over about an hour, two whales were close together and a third, off a ways. They were doing three close breaths and then a longer dive, traveling back and forth in the waters off Gabriola reef. We were watching the sprays for quite a while, and ended up sailing parallel to the pair at the end. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
TH, Surrey, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales Seen Off Gabriola Reef
Mon, 22 Jun 2020 – 2 items
TH, Surrey, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales Seen Off Gabriola Reef
Mon, 22 Jun 2020 – 2 items
TH, Surrey, BC
Sat Jun 27 2020
08:00 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, at Wilby Shoals, east of the Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
13:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading towards Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:05 • 2 Humpback Whales at the entrance to Von Donop Inlet.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:05 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ doing circles at Von Donop Inlet.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
20:40 • 1 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading south through Gillard Passage, Yuculta Rapids. They seen were traveling in the same direction as the current/tide.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sun Jun 28 2020
09:28 • 3 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Two closer to land and third further out in the channel.
10:17 • 2 Humpback Whales in Baker Passage.
11:02 • 1 Humpback Whales off Iron Point, Twin Islands, Malaspina Strait.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
13:02 • Humpback Whales in Teakerne Arm. ▫ Second Hand
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
20:11 • est. 3-4 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Iwan Van Veen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
Mon Jun 29 2020
08:06 • 1 Humpback Whales on the mainland side of Baker Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:19 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Jason Fitzgerald, Big Animal Encounters
11:11 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza,BCY0291 KC◦ off Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales, KC and Raza, in Raza Passage
Mon, 29 Jun 2020 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales, KC and Raza, in Raza Passage
Mon, 29 Jun 2020 – 2 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
13:46 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off the south end of Marina Island mid Sutil Channel.
14:09 • 2 Humpback Whales near Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay mid-channel Sutil Channel. Mom and calf were seen off the Scallop Farm.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west from Marina Reef towards Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. A mile west of Marina red can.
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales a mile south of Marina Reef heading for Smelt Bay, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Big Animal Encounters
14:50 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:08 • 3 Humpback Whales on the ferry line between Heriot Bay and Whaletown, Sutil Channel. Three Humpbacks observed – mom and calf, and one other. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Big Animal Encounters
15:11 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south-east off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:18 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west 1.5 miles south of Marina Reef travelling in line with Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:39 • 1 Humpback Whales off Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Calm Channel.
16:05 • 1 Humpback Whales at Lewis Channel. Active young Humpback observed. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jason Fitzgerald, Big Animal Encounters
Tue Jun 30 2020
07:25 • Humpback Whales just off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
07:25 • 1 Humpback Whales off Center Islet out towards Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
07:25 • 1 Humpback Whales near Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
07:44 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north through Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
12:19 • 4 Humpback Whales near Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. Two groups of 2, about 400 metres apart. One group moving south slowly.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Wed Jul 01 2020
07:00 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading east in 400 feet of water west of Race Rocks, Strait of Juan de Fuca. Came up for air then went down and never saw them again. In front of Pedder bay. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PL, Victoria, BC
12:18 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Francisco Point and Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale Enjoying a Sunny Day
Wed, 1 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale Enjoying a Sunny Day
Wed, 1 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:26 • 2 Humpback Whales off Seal Bay mid Georgia Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:41 • 2 Humpback Whales 1 mile east of Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
14:06 • 4 Humpback Whales 1 mile east of the Quadra Island cell tower, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:55 • 1 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
19:14 • Humpback Whales heading towards Viner Point, Read Island mid Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
21:08 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north 500 meters off the beach in front of Rockland Road in Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Stephan Mohan, Powell River, BC
Thu Jul 02 2020
07:13 • est. 4+ Humpback Whales breaching, about a mile south of the ferry line between Heriot Bay Ferry Terminal and Whaletown Ferry Terminal mid Sutil Channel.
07:20 • Humpback Whales breaching, south of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
07:35 • Humpback Whales at the north end of Lewis Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Campbell River
10:10 • 3 Humpback Whales resting, between Francisco Point and the can at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:14 • 2 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:23 • 2 Humpback Whales 1 NM south of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
11:23 • 2 Humpback Whales 2 NM south of Centre Islet.
11:23 • 1 Humpback Whales the other side of Centre Islet.
11:23 • 2 Humpback Whales near Read Island, Sutil Channel. Two more blows.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:52 • 2 Humpback Whales mid channel by the Quadra Island cell tower, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:05 • Humpback Whales heading south off the east side of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
12:24 • Humpback Whales below Bullock Bluff, Cortes Island, Lewis Channel. Seeing blows.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
12:27 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Refuge Cove, West Redonda Island, Lewis Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:27 • 3 Humpback Whales in the area of Hill Island and Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Sutil Channel
Thu, 2 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Sutil Channel
Thu, 2 Jul 2020 – 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:06 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ at the intersection of Deer Passage and Lewis Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:39 • Humpback Whales breaching, about a mile west of the SW tip of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:00 • Humpback Whales between South Rendezvous Island and Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
15:25 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching mid Sutil Channel.
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Jul 03 2020
10:19 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-east towards Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
10:19 • 1 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
12:39 • 2 Humpback Whales mid-channel between Eastwest Bay and North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.
13:35 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ off Rendezvous Islands heading towards Toba Mountain, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:19 • 2 Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:23 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, between Raza Point and North Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Calm Channel
Fri, 3 Jul 2020 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales in Calm Channel
Fri, 3 Jul 2020 – 3 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:14 • 3 Humpback Whales between Marina Island and Quadra Island cell tower, Sutil Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:51 • 2 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Raza Island, Calm Channel.
Jason Fitzgerald, Big Animal Encounters
18:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. They just dove.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Jul 04 2020
09:30 • Humpback Whales heading north between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and south point of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales at Toba Mountain, Raza Passage.
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales at Raza Island fish farm, Raza Passage.
10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage. Third Humpback in the area.
11:00 • 7 Humpback Whales between Bartlett Islet and Raza Island fish farm, Calm Channel.
Josh Grin, Discovery West Adventures
11:29 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, one mile off the south end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale near Marina Island
Sat, 4 Jul 2020 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale near Marina Island
Sat, 4 Jul 2020 – 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:33 • 1 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel.
11:42 • 2 Humpback Whales between the Breton Islands and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
11:52 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick,BCX0749 Claw◦ at Heriot Bay, Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:24 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north in Lewis Channel.
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Adventures
12:49 • 4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and the north end of Quadra Island Scallop Farm, Sutil Channel. Two sets of mom and calf pairs were observed half-mile off the beach.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, close to the Quadra Island Scallop Farm south of Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
15:21 • 8 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Raza◦ in Raza Passage. Raza observed with new calf.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen in Raza Passage
Sat, 4 Jul 2020 – 10 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales seen in Raza Passage
Sat, 4 Jul 2020 – 10 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:25 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives and moving slowly, heading north at Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
16:01 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
16:13 • 2 Humpback Whales at the south end of the Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Sarah Hauser, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:30 • Humpback Whales heading north at the Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage. Blows observed from Elk Bay. ▫ Observed from Shore
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 05 2020
09:30 • Humpback Whales south of Kinghorn Island, Malaspina Strait.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
09:54 • 2 Humpback Whales back and forth, between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
11:50 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Coho (Kiddie) Point, Malaspina Strait.
John Hanna, Powell River, BC
12:13 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:18 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales tail slaps, south of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Sean Antrim, Nanaimo, BC
12:40 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, off Frederic Point on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Trisha Stovel, Big Animal Encounters
12:45 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south, north of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:27 • 5 Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale Putting On A Show
Sun, 5 Jul 2020 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale Putting On A Show
Sun, 5 Jul 2020 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:58 • 4 Humpback Whales at Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:00 • Humpback Whales in Raza Passage.
16:58 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south in Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:47 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, south of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
19:05 • Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
19:09 • 2 Humpback Whales in Manson Passage, Malaspina Strait.
19:13 • 1 Humpback Whales in Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Jun 27 2020
17:45 • PWS Dolphins tight together, at Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Jun 30 2020
07:45 • PWS Dolphins off Poyntz Island, Sunderland Channel. Large group, surfing in the westerly.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Jul 01 2020
18:00 • PWS Dolphins at Johns Point, East Thurlow Island, Nodales Channel.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Thu Jul 02 2020
08:50 • 20 PWS Dolphins heading up Phillips Arm.
Natalie Evans, Blind Channel Resort
15:20 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins near the upper rapids, Okisollo Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri Jul 03 2020
06:10 • PWS Dolphins passing Turn Island and entering Nodales Channel. Large group moving at 14 knots.
08:45 • PWS Dolphins off Channe Island, Cordero Channel. Active dolphins.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
11:29 • PWS Dolphins off Denham Bay near Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:20 • PWS Dolphins between Jimmy Judd Island and Vancouver Bay, Arran Rapids.
15:50 • PWS Dolphins off Kellsey Point, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids. In tide rip.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Sun Jul 05 2020
09:07 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins between Hill Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Brianna England, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALLS PORPOISE
Tue Jun 30 2020
12:00 • Dalls Porpoise heading north-east off Kunechin Islets, Sechelt Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Wed Jul 01 2020
17:00 • Dalls Porpoise near Wickson Creek at the head of Loughborough Inlet.
Wayne Wright, Campbell River
Fri Jul 03 2020
11:20 • est. 8-10 Dalls Porpoise playing, off Owen Point, Nodales Channel.
Stephen Gabrysh, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat Jul 04 2020
12:40 • Dalls Porpoise at Denham Islet, Dent Rapids. A group was observed.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
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The Magazine
REGIONAL & NATIONAL
CHEK News
Patrick Moore couldn’t wait to get back on the water Tuesday. On Sunday, Moore along with his wife, son, and granddaughter, were out boating when they had a wild encounter with the rare pale orca. "To see a three-year-old just absolutely amazed at what she’s seeing," said Moore, a resident of the Comox Valley. "And she’s only three and she knew what she was seeing. She was seeing a white whale with mommy and daddy whales….
read on
read on
Nunatsiaq News
Watch out narwhals: the occurrence of hungry killer whales, known as arluut in Inuktitut, in the Canadian Arctic is on the rise, and it is likely that their use of the region will only increase as the ice cover decreases.
The current number of killer whales in the region, under 200 animals, could already be eating as many as 1,504 narwhals during their yearly forays into north Baffin, says a new research paper, called "Killer whale abundance and predicted narwhal consumption in the Canadian Arctic."…
read on
Hakai Magazine
When 215 gray whales washed up dead last year along the west coast of North America, researchers wondered whether the species had recovered from the commercial whaling era and become a victim of its own success-the ocean no longer capable of feeding all those gaping mouths.
But a new study for the International Whaling Commission finds that despite widespread evidence of malnutrition, other factors such as ship strikes and killer whale attacks played a significant role in the gray whale deaths from Mexico to Alaska….
read on
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
BBC News
Ten whales have been rescued by islanders after becoming stranded in shallow water around the Western Isles.
The animals were part of a pod of 20 long-finned pilot whales first spotted last Thursday night near Lochboisdale, South Uist (UK)….
read on
ABC (Australia)
As humpbacks are spotted by whale watchers off the east coast of Australia as part of their annual migration, locals on the New South Wales far South Coast discovered an intact skeletal specimen washed ashore. Merimbula’s Tony ‘Spike’ Hancock stumbled across the whale backbone two weeks ago at Wonboyn Beach, in the Nadgee Nature Reserve, south of Eden….
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ABC (Australia)
Whale watchers keen to catch a glimpse of the famous white humpback, Migaloo, dotted headlands on the New South Wales Mid North Coast today, and some are convinced they spotted him. The albino whale was reportedly sighted off the state’s South Coast on Tuesday and was expected to pass by Port Macquarie this morning during his annual migration from Antarctica to Queensland….
read on
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TVNZ 1news (New Zealand)
Multiple orca visited the Marsden Cove Marina during the weekend, to the delight of onlookers. Funky Monkey, Pumpkin and Pickle were all part of the hunting pack, according to an Orca Research Trust member at the marina.
Meanwhile, Rob van Gelder’s family headed down after getting a tip-off from the trust. After watching the orca play for a time, their behaviour suddenly shifted as they saw a stingray….
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RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Oregon State University
Oregon State University researchers who recently discovered a population of blue whales in New Zealand are learning more about the links between the whales, their prey and ocean conditions that are changing as the planet warms.
Understanding how changes in climate affect the ability of blue whales to feed gives researchers more insight into the whales’ overall health and provides critical information for conservation and management, said Leigh Torres, an assistant professor and director of the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory at OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute….
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