Why Whales Breach – Orca

Because they can! That is the most common response you might receive. A breach is when the majority of a whale’s body comes out of the water. Watching a large whale coming totally out of the water is absolutely spectacular. Although there is no definitive answer for every breaching event, those of us who monitor whales have found a few consistencies and possible reasons from years of observing these amazing animals.

Transient Bigg’s Orca such as Galiano (T019B) in the main photo in this report was on the hunt, chasing his meal, a fast moving dolphin. Leaping so high during these chases also allows them to do a quick scan around to look for other dolphins in the group should they miss catching their current prey. When not on the hunt, these very social whales would do a spy hop to look around, or breach in play. All Orca breach, but juveniles tend to breach more frequently than adults in play ocassionally appearing to . Of the Resident (fish eating) Orca species, Southern Resident Killer Whales breach more frequently than Northern Resident Orca while socializing and do not tend to breach while fishing.

Our next sightings report issue will cover Humpback Whales and Dolphins.

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.