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Southern Resident Killer Whales are staying in the Southern parts of Georgia Strait while the Transient Bigg's are tucking in and out of various inlets and channels throughout all of the inside waters. No word on the Northern Resident pods. Humpback Whales are staying around and another Grey Whale might be also. Pacific White Sided Dolphins are back in one of their favourite areas, Nodales Channel, and both Dall's and Harbour Porpoise are around, but aren't being reported as often.
The countdown to our 2016 Summer Raffle draw is on. Only a few days left to get your chance at winning! See below for details.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Apple software upgrades this week are preventing images from displaying on this site. To resolve the problem, please clear your Safari browser cache. On a Mac this is in Safari preferences. On iPad and iPhones, use the Settings app, Safari, Clear History and Website Data.
Southern Resident Killer Whales are staying in the Southern parts of Georgia Strait while the Transient Bigg's are tucking in and out of various inlets and channels throughout all of the inside waters. No word on the Northern Resident pods. Humpback Whales are staying around and another Grey Whale might be also. Pacific White Sided Dolphins are back in one of their favourite areas, Nodales Channel, and both Dall's and Harbour Porpoise are around, but aren't being reported as often.
The countdown to our 2016 Summer Raffle draw is on. Only a few days left to get your chance at winning! See below for details.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
HB off Viner Point
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Society News & Events
Summer 2016 Raffle: This year our draw will be on Canada Day, July 1st. Great prizes include Pacific Coastal Flight, Eagle Eye Adventure Tour, Stubbs Island Whale Watching Tour, BC Ferries Pass, Campbell River Whale Watching Tour, I'Hos Cultural Tour, Discovery Marine Safaris Tour, and Beyond the Road Desolation Sound Cruise. All prizes are for two people. Tickets are $5. each and can be ordered through our Add To Cart button or at our information tables listed below. There are fewer tickets equating to better chances of winning. Do YOU have your tickets yet the clock is ticking?
Our 2016 Raffle Tickets are also available at our information tables at:
June 23: 10:30 - 4pm at the Town Centre Mall, Powell River.
Vancouver Island and other Locations are being worked on locally by our volunteers.
July 1st: Canada Day Celebrations have been moved to Willingdon Beach, Powell River and we will be drawing the raffle winners at closing.
Full Raffle Details available Here
Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-018
TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
Mon Jun 20 2016
18:39 • Bigg`s Orca heading North off Point Atkinson, Georgia Strait. ◦T123s◦ There were 2 other unidentified Orca in the group.
18:38 • Bigg`s Orca heading South from Cape Roger Curtis towards Sand Heads Light, Georgia Strait. ◦T86As◦ They have been on this track since 4pm.
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Sun Jun 19 2016
13:43 • Bigg`s Orca heading West off Point Cowan on the South-East end of Bowen Island, Georgia Strait. ◦T101s◦ These Orca swept through English Bay around 11am today.
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Sat Jun 18 2016
20:09 • 2-4 Bigg`s Orca first seen at Myrtle Rocks then off Fleury Road, Malaspina Strait. It seems that another two smaller ones were there as well, quite a distance from the original two. One of the big ones had quite a large dorsal fin, looks like it had a bit of a wave in it.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
Sat, 18 Jun 2016 - 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
Sat, 18 Jun 2016 - 4 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
17:18 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading South in front of Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
11:44 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading South-West 2 miles South of Trial Islands near Victoria, Strait of Juan de Fuca. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
--:-- • Bigg`s Orca, Okeover Inlet. The Orca spent the whole day there. ▫ Second Hand
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri Jun 17 2016
13:56 • Bigg`s Orca about 2 miles West of the North Arm of the Fraser River, Georgia Strait. ◦T100s◦
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Thu Jun 16 2016
20:12 • 3 Bigg`s Orca playing, South of Myrtle Rocks over on Texada Island side of Malaspina Strait. Splashing around.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
19:38 • Bigg`s Orca back and forth, off Grief Point, Malaspina Strait. ◦T002Cs◦ They either turned or are on a kill. They were very active and were spy-hopping.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T002Cs by Powel River
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 - 3 items
Michelle Pennel, Powel River
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T002Cs by Powel River
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 - 3 items
Michelle Pennel, Powel River
19:05 • Bigg`s Orca heading North by Grief Point.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
18:07 • 4-5 Bigg`s Orca heading North by Myrtle Rocks, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Wed Jun 15 2016
15:20 • Bigg`s Orca moving slowly, heading South between Hill Island and Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ◦T002Cs◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
A wonderful afternoon with the T002C Orcas in Sutil Channel
Wed, 15 Jun 2016 - 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
A wonderful afternoon with the T002C Orcas in Sutil Channel
Wed, 15 Jun 2016 - 10 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:48 • Bigg`s Orca at Marina Island heading toward Shark Spit, Sutil Channel.
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
11:43 • 3 Bigg`s Orca West side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Bradden Kiley, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Jun 18 2016
16:31 • 25 SRKW Orca heading South at Limekiln Lighthouse on the West side of San Juan Island WA, Haro Strait. ◦L pod◦ Most of L pod in the group.
11:44 • SRKW Orca heading East almost reaching North Race Rock, Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sun Jun 19 2016
14:09 • Orca near Lund, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 17 2016
06:30 • Orca heading North, Okisollo Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Jun 21 2016
16:15 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South in Big Bay, Stuart Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Kaitlin Ross, Sonora Resort
14:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South at Denham Islet, Dent Rapids. ◦BCY0291 KC, BCY0767 Arial◦
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:58 • 2 Humpback Whales taking long dives, pointing towards Frederick Arm in Cordero Channel. ◦BCY0291 KC, BCY0767 Arial◦ Dives were 25 minutes long.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Tue, 21 Jun 2016 - 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Tue, 21 Jun 2016 - 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:38 • 1 Humpback Whales in area of Vancouver Bay, Arran Rapids. ◦BCX1258 Crescent◦
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:04 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South across from Cordero Lodge North of East Thurlow Island, Cordero Channel.
11:30 • 1 Humpback Whales foraging, off Denham Islet, Dent Rapids. Report from a sailor. ▫ Second Hand
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jun 20 2016
18:39 • 1 Humpback Whales between Sand Heads Light and Point Grey, Georgia Strait. Small Humpback being erratic and uncooperative all day.
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
16:00 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, in front of Richie Brothers on Stuart Island, Arran Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:06 • 1 Humpback Whales between Jimmy Judd Island and Asman Point, Dent Rapids. ◦BCX1258 Crescent◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North approaching Tugboat Passage, Dent Rapids. ◦BCX1258 Crescent◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Mon, 20 Jun 2016 - 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Mon, 20 Jun 2016 - 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:10 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, Gillard Islands, Dent Island, Dent Rapids. ◦BCX1258 Crescent◦
11:51 • 1 Humpback Whales heading West Gillard Islands, Yuculta Rapids. ◦BCX1258 Crescent◦
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jun 19 2016
13:00 • 1 Humpback Whales near Dinner Rock, Malaspina Strait. Report came in during early afternoon. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
Sat Jun 18 2016
18:26 • 1 Humpback Whales lunge feeding, 1/2 mile South-West of the North arm Pier end of the Fraser River just South of Point Grey, Georgia Strait.
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
15:47 • 1 Humpback Whales South of Whiskey Point near Cape Mudge Village, Discovery Passage.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
13:19 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading North at the North end of Cape Mudge Village 400-500 meters from the shore of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. No tail action. Taking a breath every 2 minutes. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jordan McLean, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
13:03 • 1 Humpback Whales Whiskey Point, Discovery Passage. Hanging in the flood back eddy.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
12:54 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading North off Whiskey Point.
Jordan McLean, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
09:41 • 1 Humpback Whales off Willow Point, Georgia Strait. Near the boat launch. ▫ Radio Report
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 17 2016
18:01 • 2 Humpback Whales 500m off Viner Point, Sutil Channel. ◦BCY--- Chinook, Dalmatian◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
HBs Chinook and Dalmatian off Viner Pt.
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 - 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
HBs Chinook and Dalmatian off Viner Pt.
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 - 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:02 • 2 Humpback Whales half way along Quadra Island shore between Rebecca Spit and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
16:01 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North between Marina Island and Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
HBs Chinook and Dalmatian in Sutil Channel
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 - 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
HBs Chinook and Dalmatian in Sutil Channel
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 - 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:25 • 2 Humpback Whales 2 miles North-West of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. no direction yet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:37 • 3 Humpback Whales in Blackney Passage, Blackfish Sound.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jun 16 2016
16:30 • Humpback Whales by No Name Creek, Discovery Passage. Saw blows.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North approaching Dent Rapids.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:41 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, heading North South of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:40 • 1 Humpback Whales bucking tide, South of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Wed Jun 15 2016
08:18 • 1 Humpback Whales off Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Blackfish Sound. Large Humpback whale.
Tue Jun 14 2016
10:45 • 2 Humpback Whales off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait. ◦BCY0291 KC, BCY0767 Arial◦ Had heard there were three Humpbacks, but only found these two. ▫ Observed from Shore
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
2 HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial off Kelsey Bay on June 14th.
Tue, 14 Jun 2016 - 5 items
Angie and Paul Hibbert, Sayward
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
2 HBs BCY0291 KC and BCY0767 Arial off Kelsey Bay on June 14th.
Tue, 14 Jun 2016 - 5 items
Angie and Paul Hibbert, Sayward
Angie and Paul Hibbert, Sayward
GREY WHALES
Sat Jun 18 2016
16:09 • 1 Grey Whales heading South almost at No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Jun 20 2016
16:39 • PWS Dolphins heading North at mouth of Okisollo Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:30 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading North between Deepwater Bay and Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:39 • PWS Dolphins heading South Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:50 • 60 PWS Dolphins heading West at the Western end of Nodales Channel.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:04 • PWS Dolphins Davis Point, Nodales Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:03 • PWS Dolphins Davis Point. numbers and heading unknown.
Sun Jun 19 2016
17:15 • 40 PWS Dolphins in Chonat Bay, Okisollo Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Dolphins off Horn Point
Sun, 19 Jun 2016 - 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Dolphins off Horn Point
Sun, 19 Jun 2016 - 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:50 • 30 PWS Dolphins by Sonora Point, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:55 • PWS Dolphins off Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:53 • PWS Dolphins off Hardinge Island, Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
--:-- • 50 PWS Dolphins at Pulton Bay, Okisollo Channel. This is another group of PWS Dolphins.
Gordon Prezioso, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat Jun 18 2016
10:16 • 30+ PWS Dolphins milling, heading South-East at Horn Point, Dent Rapids. Very spread out and heading towards Little Dent Island.
09:36 • PWS Dolphins Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Jordan McLean, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
Fri Jun 17 2016
15:57 • 150 PWS Dolphins milling, now at Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:51 • PWS Dolphins heading West off Tyee Point at the South-West end of West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:46 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading West off Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
10:33 • 100 PWS Dolphins heading East by Ripple Point heading towards Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jun 16 2016
14:50 • 60 PWS Dolphins milling, off Horn Point, Dent Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Beautiful Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 - 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Beautiful Pacific White Sided Dolphins
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 - 5 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:34 • PWS Dolphins off Horn Point.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:01 • PWS Dolphins half-way up Frederick Arm.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
08:33 • 40-50 PWS Dolphins at the head of Frederick Arm.
Radio, overheard or call out
DALL'S PORPOISE
Fri Jun 17 2016
11:00 • 4 Dall`s Porpoise off Granite Point off the North-West tip of Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Fri Jun 17 2016
13:30 • 2 Harbour Porpoise, Bute Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Jun 16 2016
14:05 • 2 Harbour Porpoise off Davis Point, Nodales Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES UNSURE
Sun Jun 19 2016
16:29 • Species Unsure Cape Mudge Fishing Hump off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. Unconfirmed whale spouts reported. ▫ Second Hand
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-018
The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
Q13 Fox News
The first Short-beaked dolphins to visit the Salish Sea in recent memory have made their way along Juan de Fuca and paid a visit to the Victoria area....
Photo by Erin Gless, Island Adventures Whale Watching and Port Angeles Whale.
CTV News, Vancouver Island
Video Report
Video Report
A change both remarkable and concerning is taking place in the waters off the province’s coast – in an area some are calling “tropical B.C.”
A group of scientists and divers are sharing incredible footage and photos that show warm-water sharks, sunfish and dolphins roaming the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
“[We’re] diving and exploring and documenting the changing ocean that we’re experiencing,“ said Ian McAllister, a conservation photographer with Pacific Wild, a non-profit
For more details:
• Pacific Wild
• Pacific Wild
Castanet, Kelowna
Although ship traffic poses many potential threats to marine life, it’s actually one of the ways of transporting commercial goods with the lowest carbon footprint ... reducing ship traffic speed in sensitive areas can significantly reduce the risk of lethal collisions between vessels and whales, protecting both marine life and their habitats.”...
Care2
NOAA has announced it plans to take action to reduce the noise in entire marine ecosystems.
NOAA’s Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap, which the agency has been working on for six years, is intended to be a more progressive plan for dealing with underwater noise pollution. Its four “overarching” goals are centered on science, management, the development of assessment and other decision-making tools, and public outreach.
The goals are expected to be met within the next 10 years.
As one of the first steps in putting the roadmap into action, NOAA has ...
For more details:
• NOAA's Ocean Noise Strategy
• NOAA Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap
• NOAA Complete Document
• NOAA's Ocean Noise Strategy
• NOAA Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap
• NOAA Complete Document
CANADA
Hakai Magazine
All of the sperm whales in the world descended from just one female who lived tens of thousands of years ago. That surprising result comes from an examination of the mitochondrial DNA of more than 1,600 sperm whales from all over the world. Fittingly, researchers have named her Eve.
INTERNATIONAL
Earthtouch News
Enjoy wonderful photographs of a breaching Minke Whale as well as an archive video of Minke Whales breaching off the coast of Portugal.
Michael Deal, Blog
There are eleven populations of humpbacks around the world, each covering their own ocean-sized territory. These populations each boast not only their own dialect of song, but also their own anthem of sorts — each whale singing the same sequence of the same sounds. But week-to-week, month-to-month, and year-to-year this song evolves, as the whales collectively create new phrases and patterns, totally in sync...
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