Large pods of Pacific White-Sided dolphins appeared off Powell River on December 17th and again on December 28th. Each pod was estimated to include around two hundred dolphins and they were visible from shore. Our cover image shows two dolphins travelling quickly, and “porpoising”, meaning leaping out of the water as they move in a direction. As the dolphins porpoise, they do leave and enter the water smoothly and can be awe-inspiring for those observing them. There are some Humpback whales and Transient Orca around in the waterways too, so keep your eyes open and let us know what you see.
From the Wild Ocean Whale Society, we wish you a Happy New Year and all the best in 2023! Hope you continue to have many opportunities to see whales, dolphins, and porpoises next year!
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.
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP – ISSUE: 2022-035
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Dec 05 2022
12:15 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south close to beacon on Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Including 1 calf.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Dec 07 2022
15:25 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading west at Tyee Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Fri Dec 09 2022
11:35 • est. 4-5 Biggs Orca heading south mid-strait out from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Sat Dec 24 2022
16:45 • Biggs Orca heading north past Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Wed Dec 28 2022
14:45 • Biggs Orca heading south in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
14:50 • 2 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦
moving slowly, heading south out from Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
One male, one female – so far.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:09 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south almost to Grief Point, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Powell River
Wed, 28 Dec 2022 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Biggs Killer Whales near Powell River
Wed, 28 Dec 2022 – 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Dec 03 2022
15:45 • 1 Humpback Whales
moving slowly, heading south off Snake Island, Georgia Strait.
Observed at surface several times before taking an extended dive as ferry approached. ▫ From Ferry
MB, Vancouver, BC
Wed Dec 07 2022
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales
breaching, heading south across from Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
13:05 • Humpback Whales between Kelsey Bay and Hardwicke Point, Johnstone Strait.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
16:17 • 2 Humpback Whales between Heriot Bay and Breton Islands, Sutil Channel.
Reuben Buerge, Wild Waterways Adventures
Thu Dec 08 2022
11:35 • est. 2+ Humpback Whales
foraging, between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
12:00 • Humpback Whales
breaching; tail lobs, south end of Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Fri Dec 09 2022
08:00 • est. 1 Humpback Whales
travelling, heading north on East side of Passage Island, Queen Charlotte Channel.
We live on Passage Island. It’s been heading up Howe Sound every morning and coming south to straight of Georgia in the afternoons. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
PS, West Vancouver, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale in Queen Charlotte Channel
Fri, 9 Dec 2022 – 3 items
PS, West Vancouver, BC
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale in Queen Charlotte Channel
Fri, 9 Dec 2022 – 3 items
PS, West Vancouver, BC
11:34 • est. 2 Humpback Whales
milling, heading south-east off Point Atkinson and west of Juniper Point, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel.
Milling about and slow diving, possibly feeding, gulls flying around. Viewed from Juniper Point in Lighthouse park. Looking west infront of passage island. ▫ Observed from Shore
Erin Black, West Vancouver, BC
Sun Dec 11 2022
08:45 • 3 Humpback Whales
foraging west end of Chatham Channel.
Very active.
Jess Cavanagh, Blind Channel Resort
Tue Dec 13 2022
10:30 • 1 Humpback Whales
taking long dives, heading west at the eastern end and the middle of Nanoose Harbour.
Long dives into Nanoose Bay, only observed one whale. ▫ Observed from Shore
Wed Dec 21 2022
13:08 • Humpback Whales out behind Rebecca Rocks long way out towards Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
Couple of humpbacks.
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 28 2022
15:09 • 2 Humpback Whales between Harwood Island and Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Barry Rice, Powell River, BC
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Dec 17 2022
14:39 • PWS Dolphins heading north, north of Rebecca Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Large group.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River
Sat, 17 Dec 2022 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins near Powell River
Sat, 17 Dec 2022 – 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
14:58 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins
foraging, just out from the Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:51 • PWS Dolphins
foraging, heading south in front of Myrtle Point, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Wed Dec 28 2022
08:04 • PWS Dolphins heading south at Klahaine Sliammon / Tla’amin Nation, Malaspina Strait.
Super pod. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Malaspina Strait
Wed, 28 Dec 2022 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Pacific White Sided Dolphins in Malaspina Strait
Wed, 28 Dec 2022 – 8 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
13:00 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins
foraging, Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
Almost to Grief Point then back to viewpoint.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
13:10 • PWS Dolphins back in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
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