Breaching Whales!
Cover Image:
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Discovery Passage
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
There are many species of Cetaceans that breach. Here in B.C., the species most commonly seen breaching are Orca and Humpback whales. Sometimes, one may be lucky enough to see synchronized breaches by two whales, such as the two Orca in our cover image. Breaching is thought to be a form of play or a method of communication. In addition to the Orca observed during the past week, many Humpbacks were observed breaching. The splash created by a Humpback whale re-entering the water after a breach can be seen from quite a distance (e.g. a few kilometers away).
The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Vessels must stay at least 400 m away from all killer whales in southern British Columbia coastal waters between Campbell River and Ucluelet, including Barkley and Howe Sound. This is in effect year-round until May 31, 2023. If killer whales approach any vessel, boaters should place their engine in neutral and wait for the animals to pass.”
For all other areas of B.C. outside of the area indicated above, a minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing Orca. When viewing other species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept.
WOWs works throughout the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-016
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Wed Mar 16 2022
10:45 • est. 3 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading west off Satellite Channel Ecological Reserve, Saanich Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ken Kuiper, North Saanich, BC
Tue Jul 05 2022
05:00 • 5 Biggs Orca heading south off Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait. Two of them were big males.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Wed Jul 06 2022
06:35 • Biggs Orca heading north passing Big Rock, Georgia Strait. Big fin.
Nova Tulloch, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:38 • 2 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north off Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T124s◦ moving slowly, heading north approaching Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:30 • Biggs Orca ◦T124s◦ heading north passing Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage. 8 knots.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Discovery Passage
Wed, 6 Jul 2022 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales in Discovery Passage
Wed, 6 Jul 2022 – 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:00 • Biggs Orca heading south in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Nicole Klein, Powell River, BC
15:39 • Biggs Orca heading south at Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Simon Piddock, Ocean EcoVentures Parksville
Fri Jul 08 2022
11:50 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north near Thetis Island, Stuart Channel. They surfaced close to the path of a Thetis Island ferry so warned ferry of their presence. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Nadine Urquhart
Sat Jul 09 2022
–:– • 5 Biggs Orca heading north-west at Williams Beach, Georgia Strait. Following me and perhaps curious. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Paul Fike, Williams Beach
Sun Jul 10 2022
09:30 • 4 Biggs Orca heading west at Bear Bight, Johnstone Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:15 • 4 Biggs Orca heading west off Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Jul 11 2022
08:00 • 5 Biggs Orca hunting, at Hare Point then moved to Cochrane Bay near Cochrane Islands, Malaspina Inlet. Hunting for seals. Observation began at 07:30.
John Hermsen, Footprint Kayak and Hike Explorations
11:05 • Biggs Orca hunting almost to Okeover Inlet, Malaspina Inlet.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:30 • Biggs Orca heading towards Sarah Point from Malaspina Inlet.
12:35 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south in Thulin Passage, Malaspina Strait. Small fins.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca seen near North Saanich in March 2022
Wed, 6 Jul 2022 – 1 items
Ken Kuiper, North Saanich, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Orca seen near North Saanich in March 2022
Wed, 6 Jul 2022 – 1 items
Ken Kuiper, North Saanich, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 6 Jul 2022 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Wed, 6 Jul 2022 – 3 items
Nick Templeman, Campbell River Whale and Bear Excursions
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon Jul 04 2022
21:45 • Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south near Van Anda, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Tue Jul 05 2022
10:46 • 8 Humpback Whales spread out from Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
Wed Jul 06 2022
09:00 • 2 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
10:47 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling down the Quadra shore off Dogfish Bay at the southeast end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
10:47 • 1 Humpback Whales toward Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
10:47 • 1 Humpback Whales off Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:30 • Humpback Whales ◦BCY Pepper◦ south of Rebecca Spit.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
13:55 • Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales near Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
14:00 • 2 Humpback Whales above Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:17 • Humpback Whales heading north at Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:10 • Humpback Whales heading south, just north of Teakerne Arm, Lewis Channel.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:17 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Calypso◦ milling, in Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:40 • Humpback Whales between Powell River Viewpoint and Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. Small one.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:45 • 1 Humpback Whales playing, near Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel.
16:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north, north of the Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
16:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south off Marina Island shack.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jul 07 2022
07:55 • 3 Humpback Whales just west of Knox Bay near West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:30 • Humpback Whales off Race Point, Discovery Passage.
08:30 • est. 2-3 Humpback Whales near Marina Island shack, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:35 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west near Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:00 • est. 6-7 Humpback Whales spread out between Cape Mudge and Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
10:00 • 3 Humpback Whales mid strait between Marina Island and Discovery Islands Lodge, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:35 • 1 Humpback Whales feeding, off Carrington Bay, Sutil Channel. Short dives.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:44 • 1 Humpback Whales near Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait.
11:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east towards Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
11:10 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east, west of Helmcken Island, Johnstone Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:00 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south, southeast of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. One momma with a calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:45 • 1 Humpback Whales off Channel Island heading into Homfray Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, southeast of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait. One breacher.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:55 • 1 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off Earl Ledge, Johnstone Strait. Mom and calf.
13:35 • 1 Humpback Whales between Bear Point and West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
13:40 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, between Penn Islands and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. It was feeding and splashing around.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
13:42 • 1 Humpback Whales across from Williams Beach, Georgia Strait.
Kaitlin Paquette, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:05 • 1 Humpback Whales at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, south end of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
14:48 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Breton Islands and Read Point, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:51 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east, west of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:10 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
16:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Elk Bay, Discovery Passage.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jul 08 2022
08:40 • 2 Humpback Whales at Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
08:47 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Francisco Point, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
10:15 • 4 Humpback Whales spread out between Mitlenatch Island and Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Damien Dawson, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:20 • 3 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading north through Whale Passage, Sutil Channel.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south one mile west of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
14:10 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, one mile off the northwest side of Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
14:51 • 8 Humpback Whales in a five mile radius south of Sentry Shoal, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sat Jul 09 2022
09:06 • 4 Humpback Whales heading north, west of Manson Passage, Georgia Strait.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:18 • 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, off the northwest corner of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:29 • est. 4-5 Humpback Whales heading north between Mitlenatch Island and Hernando Island, Georgia Strait.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
11:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading west at Bickley Bay, Cordero Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:30 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, off Twin Bay, Sutil Channel. Quiet now.
Jude Abrams, Otter Be Good Productions
12:48 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX Calypso,BCY Callahan◦ breaching, at Twin Bay.
Jen Smalley, Wild Waterways Adventures
13:09 • 2 Humpback Whales 2.5 miles northeast of Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait. Mom and young.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Adventures
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whales near Frances Bay, Raza Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:20 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, across form Kellsey Point on the shoreline of Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:10 • 1 Humpback Whales milling; bubble feeding, against the shore around Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:55 • 1 Humpback Whales heading east at Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south-west between Viner Point and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:05 • 2 Humpback Whales just south of Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
17:20 • 2 Humpback Whales on the ferry line south of Centre Islet.
Peter Murray, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jul 10 2022
08:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north, north of Francisco Point close to the shore of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:05 • Humpback Whales breaching, north side of Center Islet north-west of Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
09:05 • Humpback Whales breaching, in Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
09:05 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Mom and calf.
09:05 • Humpback Whales off Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:56 • 2 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island Sandbanks (Bluffs) and Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
12:05 • 4 Humpback Whales off Viner Point on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:07 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south at Mushkin 5 on Sonora Island, Calm Channel.
12:36 • 2 Humpback Whales at the mouth of Hole in the Wall.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:22 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:25 • 2 Humpback Whales at the mouth of Hole in the Wall heading toward Yuculta Rapids, Calm Channel.
Lorill Vining, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:30 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, off Earl Ledge, Johnstone Strait.
Tyler Bruce, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:30 • 2 Humpback Whales approaching Kellsey Point close to the shore of Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. Mom and calf.
Quinn Kuschel-Ross, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:45 • 3 Humpback Whales off Kellsey Point on Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:20 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, heading west off Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait. Some tail lobs.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:29 • 2 Humpback Whales tail lobs, northwest of Powell River Ferry Terminal, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Mon Jul 11 2022
08:45 • est. 2 Humpback Whales south-east off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:51 • 2 Humpback Whales off Francisco Point on Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:55 • Humpback Whales off Bullock Bluff, Calm Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:41 • 3 Humpback Whales at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:42 • 3 Humpback Whales breaching, at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:48 • 1 Humpback Whales near Spoil Grounds south of Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
10:14 • Humpback Whales heading east off Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:25 • Humpback Whales breaching, off the north end of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Zoe Hasenfratz, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:40 • 1 Humpback Whales southeast of Cortez Reef, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:00 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, at Redonda Bay, Deer Passage.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Wed Jul 06 2022
08:10 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins very active, heading south at Stimpson Reef, west of Port Neville, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
12:40 • PWS Dolphins off Gomer Island coming out of Frederick Arm. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:00 • PWS Dolphins in Frederick Arm.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:15 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins milling, at Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jul 07 2022
09:53 • 6 PWS Dolphins milling, near Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
10:24 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading east, feeding back and forth, close to the shore of Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
10:28 • 6 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, heading east towards Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait. 10 knots.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:00 • PWS Dolphins at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage. Large group.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:00 • PWS Dolphins at Chatham Point. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jul 08 2022
07:40 • PWS Dolphins headed toward Mayne Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Sat Jul 09 2022
13:10 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins milling in Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Jul 10 2022
14:00 • PWS Dolphins by Little Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:10 • est. 25 PWS Dolphins milling, off Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:45 • PWS Dolphins near Big Bay, Yuculta Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:56 • PWS Dolphins milling, off Horn Point closer to the shore of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
Jessica Parker, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:25 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins moving slowly, heading north off Horn Point, Dent Rapids. Following yachts.
Robin Pears, Campbell River Whale Watching
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The Magazine
SPECIAL SIGHTINGS
Newsweek
A pod of orcas has been spotted accompanied by a baby pilot whale, with no other pilot whales nearby.
The pod of killer whales was spotted near Iceland this week by researchers with the Icelandic Orcas research program, but a similar phenomenon was observed in the summer of 2021 by the nonprofit group Orca Guardians Iceland….
read on
Science
Two years ago, a team of marine biologists was fast asleep on a research vessel off the coast of Brazil when the captain woke them with a harried announcement: There was a "huge animal" following the ship. The bleary-eyed scientists made their way to the stern, where they found a trio of humpback whales riding the ship’s wake-behavior never previously documented in such large whales. For more than an hour, the researchers watched as the whales swam less than 10 meters behind their ship….
read on
read on
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Newsweek
Delighted scientists have discovered large pods of rare fin whales feeding together in Antarctica for the first time in nearly 50 years.
After commercial whaling was banned in 1976, it appears the species is on a rebound, as the footage appears to show….
read on