The Return of Humpback Whales!

During the past few weeks, Humpback whales have been observed and reported to us on a daily basis. Humpbacks were seen at the south end of Vancouver Island east of Sooke, along the ferry route between Nanaimo and West Vancouver, and Humpbacks were present in Upper Georgia Strait. There were a few mother-calf pairs and some Humpbacks were breaching while others were observed doing tail slaps and pectoral slaps. Of interesting note is on June 10, three Humpback whales were observed intermingling with a dozen Transient Orca near Cape Lazo (Comox area). In addition to various groups of Transient Orca observed within inland waterways, rounding our report is one sighting of a Grey whale and a few sightings of pods of Harbour porpoises.

As a reminder that if you are boating and out on the water, please be aware of the presence of whales and dolphins. Signs of their presence may include blows of the Cetaceans and other boats stopped or moving slowly in an area. Boats and other water craft (e.g. kayaks) must remain at least 1-km away Southern Resident Orca and at least 200-m away from other Orca (Transients and Northern Residents). See the full government regulation in the following paragraph.

The Federal Government (DFO) issued the following statement about watching Orca in the wild: “Keep 1,000 metres away from Southern Resident killer whales in southern B.C. coastal waters between Campbell River and just north of Ucluelet. Keep 200 metres away from all other killer whales in British Columbia (B.C.) and the Pacific Ocean”. A minimum distance of 200-m must be maintained when viewing any Cetaceans that are resting or with a calf. When viewing whales, dolphins, and porpoises under other circumstances not described above, a minimum distance of 100-m must be kept. A great resource for up to date Canadian or US regulations: Be Whale Wise Guidelines.

WOWs works throughout the year, so please continue to keep your eyes open, and report your sightings to us.