Reports of Cetacea where the reporter is unsure of the species happens more often than you might think. Quite often we can determine the species from more information or a photo, but not always. Since Pilot Whales are not common to our inside coastal waters, we do a bit of extra digging. Although we have one report showing as Pilot Whales, even that one was a "possible". The other potential Pilot Whale sightings are listed under the Species Unsure heading since we could not obtain further confirmation.
Humpback Whales are still hold the majority of our Sightings Reports as many of these whales are transitting the area. And just when you expect them all to be heading South, we have many that head North again. As our weather turns colder, it will be most interesting and unusual to find more Humpbacks staying in our waters.
Southern Resident Orca were spotted in lower Georgia Strait, and a few other Killer Whales were seen near the top end, but overall, the Orca sightings are down. Some groups of Dolphins and Porpoise also have been seen, but once again, not in any great numbers. Keep looking, they are out there somewhere.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whales are still hold the majority of our Sightings Reports as many of these whales are transitting the area. And just when you expect them all to be heading South, we have many that head North again. As our weather turns colder, it will be most interesting and unusual to find more Humpbacks staying in our waters.
Southern Resident Orca were spotted in lower Georgia Strait, and a few other Killer Whales were seen near the top end, but overall, the Orca sightings are down. Some groups of Dolphins and Porpoise also have been seen, but once again, not in any great numbers. Keep looking, they are out there somewhere.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whale swimming under a rainbow
Kurt Snyder, Guest of Wild Whales Vancouver
Note to Safari browser users:
Apple software upgrades may prevent 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.
Society News & Events
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published each week.
DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-036
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Oct 22 2016
14:00 • 3-4 Biggs Orca heading East in Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whale Male thrashing about earlier this year
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whale Male thrashing about earlier this year
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Wed Oct 26 2016
15:34 • SRKW Orca ◦J Pod; K Pod◦ heading North outside of Porlier Pass in Georgia Strait. Picked up some of K Pod, and most likely all of J Pod. They might be making their way up towards Texada.
Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Wed Oct 26 2016
17:16 • 4 Orca off Cinque Islands, Discovery Passage.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
Sat Oct 22 2016
14:01 • 3-4 Orca heading East in Greene Point Rapids, Cordero Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whale breaching
Sun, 23 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Unidentified Killer Whales
Killer Whale breaching
Sun, 23 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Oct 26 2016
17:36 • 1 Humpback Whales off Steep Island, Discovery Passage.
17:16 • 3 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0097 Squiggle◦ at Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
17:16 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0027 Maude◦ off Race Point, Discovery Passage. Maude is with her calf.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
15:34 • Humpback Whales in the area of Rock Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:15 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, in Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. Mom and a calf.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Oct 24 2016
13:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Crescent Bay off the North-West tip of Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Observed from shore. ▫ Second Hand
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
11:47 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North off Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:43 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC◦ heading North in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:40 • 1 Humpback Whales near Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:20 • 1 Humpback Whales off Campbell River. Small whale. Saw the fluke.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Sun Oct 23 2016
18:00 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North by the fishing area in Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
17:48 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North near McMullen Point, Discovery Passage.
17:47 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North just North of Browns Bay in the middle of Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
16:00 • 2 Humpback Whales off Powell River Westview Harbour, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
15:15 • 3-4 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Hardwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Sat Oct 22 2016
10:13 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North by Stillwater Bay, Malaspina Strait.
Carol Diewert
Fri Oct 21 2016
17:43 • Humpback Whales heading South Quadra Island side near McMullen Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:30 • Humpback Whales breaching, heading South at McMullen Point.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:22 • 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Rocks and Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Wed Oct 19 2016
11:00 • 5 Humpback Whales near Okisollo Channel, Discovery Passage.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale near Okisollo Channel
Wed, 19 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Johanna Ferrie, Discovery Marine Safaris
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale near Okisollo Channel
Wed, 19 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Johanna Ferrie, Discovery Marine Safaris
Tue Oct 18 2016
15:15 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, in Plumper Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:12 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Sonora Lodge, Yuculta Rapids. Humpbacks are being harassed by a large raft of 20+ Steller sea lions.
Kaitlin Ross, Sonora Resort
11:41 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North between Subtle Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
11:41 • 3-4 Humpback Whales South-East of Captain Island heading up Jervis Inlet, Jervis Inlet. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
08:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading South mid-channel at Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
08:14 • 2 Humpback Whales doing circles, at Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Mon Oct 17 2016
15:42 • 2 Humpback Whales in Nodales Channel. Along with Pacific White Sided dolphins.
10:48 • 3 Humpback Whales at Fanny Island moving towards Kelsey Bay, Sunderland Channel. Mom and calf.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Multiple Humpback Whale blows off of Fanny Island
Mon, 17 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Multiple Humpback Whale blows off of Fanny Island
Mon, 17 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sun Oct 16 2016
15:59 • 2 Humpback Whales off Plumper Islands, Blackfish Sound.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sat Oct 15 2016
12:31 • 2 Humpback Whales between Walcan Seafood Quadra Island and the mill in Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback whales between Walcan Seafood and the Campbell River Mill
Sat, 15 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback whales between Walcan Seafood and the Campbell River Mill
Sat, 15 Oct 2016 - 1 items
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
Thu Oct 13 2016
13:18 • 1-2 Humpback Whales just before Captain Island, Jervis Inlet. ▫ From Ferry
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
Tue Oct 11 2016
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North-East off NW end of Hardy Island, Malaspina Strait. Was taking long dives. ▫ From Power or Sail Boat
Becky Williams-Freeman, Nelson Island, BC
Mon Oct 10 2016
23:30 • 1 Humpback Whales milling, Nocturne Island at the entrance to Blind Bay, Malaspina Strait. We could hear it blowing then saw it off the dock. ▫ Observed from Shore
Becky Williams-Freeman, Nelson Island, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales travelling under a rainbow
Thu, 20 Oct 2016 - 2 items
Kurt Snyder, Guest of Wild Whales Vancouver
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whales travelling under a rainbow
Thu, 20 Oct 2016 - 2 items
Kurt Snyder, Guest of Wild Whales Vancouver
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching off the coast of Vancouver Island
Fri, 19 Oct 2018 - 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching off the coast of Vancouver Island
Fri, 19 Oct 2018 - 1 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Oct 17 2016
15:42 • PWS Dolphins in Nodales Channel. With two humpback whales.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
PILOT WHALES
Mon Oct 24 2016
11:43 • 5 Pilot Whales heading North in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. About two-thirds the size of an Orca. Dorsal fin half the size of Orca fin. Blows are about 3 feet high.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
DALLS PORPOISE
Sun Oct 23 2016
15:50 • 5 Dalls Porpoise foraging, off Fawn Bluff, Bute Inlet.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Mon Oct 17 2016
15:45 • Dalls Porpoise at Hall Point, Nodales Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Jump to: Biggs Orca | SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Pilot Whales | Dalls Porpoise | Species Unsure
SPECIES UNSURE
Mon Oct 24 2016
11:16 • Species Unsure almost at the Ferry crossing at Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Definitely not Orca.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:54 • 6-7 Species Unsure heading North past Hidden Harbour closer to Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Not Humpbacks or Orca.
Jeanne Ralston, Campbell River, BC
Fri Oct 21 2016
--:-- • 2 Species Unsure moving quickly, off Davis Bay South of Sechelt, Georgia Strait. I was at Davis Bay, Sechelt, and I was on the beach. I look up and see this fin out of the water. It was moving fast so I couldn't get a good picture. The body was a blackish color. There were two of them as we saw them spraying water with there blow. Also saw splashes from the tail. ▫ Observed from Shore
Chelsea Henthorn
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-036
The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
Heiltsuk Tribal Council
TO SEE THIS VIDEO PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE
We got our first look underwater yesterday. Endangered abalone, kelp, juvenile herring all poisoned by diesel. The damage is done. It will be years before we know the full extent of the damage.....
www.ctvnews.ca
Oct. 21, 2001: CTV News introduces the world to a unique false killer whale that followed boats in the waters near Point Roberts, Wash.
West Seattle Blog
Humpback whales were seen in the Seattle. The first was seen from a ferry near Southworth, just west of Vashon Island; at least one Orca Network commenter says they’re visible from here (take your binoculars).
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Humpback whales can migrate thousands of miles to reach feeding grounds each year, but a new study concludes that their fidelity to certain local habitats - as passed on through the generations - and the protection of these habitats are key to understanding the ultimate recovery of this endangered species.
The study documents the local recruitment of whales in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait in Alaska over a 30-year period. The researchers found that contemporary whales that utilize these rich feeding grounds overwhelmingly are descendants of whales that previously used the area.
In other words, the population recovery of humpback whales in the region depends on cultural knowledge of migratory routes passed on from mothers to their calves; it is not a product of whales from outside the area suddenly "discovering" a rich feeding ground.
Results of the study are being published this week in the journal Endangered Species Research.
24-Meter Blue Whale Filmed Nursing in Drone Footage
Earth Touch News / Dana Wharf Whale Watch
The milk of blue whales is so rich that it has the consistency of runny cheese – and it has to be to keep their young well fed. The behemoth babies have to put on some 37,500 pounds during the suckling period to make their growth goals! It's thought that calves slurp down 50 to 150 gallons of milk each day to achieve this feat, but catching one in the act of nursing is exceptionally rare....
CANADA
International Business Times
Each year, hundreds of bowhead whales fed on zooplankton in Cumberland Sound during the summer season, before travelling to Hudson Strait in the south for the chilly winter months.
Only the blue whale is bigger than the bowhead – so-called because of the shape of its mouth. As the bowhead lives in freezing Arctic waters, its blubber is the thickest of any living animal, which can be nearly half a metre thick.
Sarah Fortune from the University of British Columbia spent four summers researching these elusive creatures. "The team was able to watch the whales and found that they spent the early morning feeding in deep water and then rested in shallow, coastal waters during the afternoon," Fortune told cbc news....
INTERNATIONAL
A man boating through Norway waters captured rare footage of a pilot whale "talking" while hanging out on the surface next to his vessel.
Berthold Hinrichs posted a video to YouTube showing his encounter last year hen he encountered a pod of pilot whales off the coast of northern Norway.
One of the whales surfaces right next to the boat and lets off a series of squeaky whale calls.
"I met these guys in northern Norway. I saw them a distance away apparently resting so I stopped my boat and turned off the engine. After a while they swam over to my boat and one of them started talking," Hinrichs wrote.
New Scientist
Sometimes it’s pink, sometimes greeny-brown. But whatever the colour, whale dung could be the unlikely catalyst for ending whaling.
The role of whale faeces in regenerating fish stocks will occupy centre-stage this week and next at the meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Portoroz, Slovenia.
For the first time in the IWC’s 70-year history, delegates attending from member countries will be invited to acknowledge growing evidence that whales don’t decrease fish numbers – the primary excuse for continued whaling by Japan, Norway and Iceland – and they actually have the opposite effect.
Research is revealing that whale dung brings nutrients to the surface waters, which generates food for more fish by stimulating the growth of phytoplankton, the tiny organisms that are eaten by krill. These then become prey for fish. Phytoplankton also suck carbon dioxide out of the air, helping to limit global warming.
Swimming rain forests
WBUR Boston
Massachusetts lobsterman John Haviland got a grant from the state to test fishing ropes that break more easily under the weight of the animals.
Haviland made a cut in the standard rope and repaired it with a bright orange synthetic sleeve. The sleeve locks in place, just like the Chinese finger trap toy that he played with as a boy.
The sleeve puts a weak link into the rope, and lowers its breaking point from 3,000 pounds of pressure to about 1,600 pounds — enough to allow an endangered North Atlantic right whale to bust free.
It’s one of several solutions scientists are studying.
WWF Global
ith hundreds of thousands of whales and dolphins dying every year after being accidentally entangled in fishing gear, the world must take concrete steps during the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting starting today in Slovenia to lessen the serious threat posed by bycatch.
While much of the attention will focus on Japan’s illegitimate ‘scientific’ whaling programme in the Southern Ocean, participants from over 80 countries will also have a host of other critical issues to discuss, including a proposal for the IWC to kick-start global efforts to reduce fisheries bycatch, which kills at least 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises – all known as cetaceans – every year....
Science
Human-produced noise in the ocean is likely harming marine mammals in numerous unknown ways, according to a comprehensive new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. That’s because there are insufficient data to determine how the ill effects of noise created by ships, sonar signals, and other activities interact with other threats, including pollution, climate change, and the loss of prey due to fishing. The report, which was sponsored by several government agencies and released on 7 October, provides a new framework for researchers to begin exploring these cumulative impacts.
“There’s a growing recognition that ....
Hawaii News Now
Image credit Beau Pilgrim
Image credit Beau Pilgrim
Wow! Check out this amazing viral video shot off Tonga of a humpback whale breaching near a group of divers. Photographer Beau Pilgrim shot the footage last week. The moment, he said, was a surreal "adrenaline rush."
Bloomberg BNA
Eighteen of 21 whale and dolphin species in the Gulf of Mexico had significant quantifiable health problems after the Deepwater Horizon spill, said Teri Rowles, coordinator of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The spill was followed by a prolonged increase in the number of deaths of near-shore bottle-nosed dolphins on the Louisiana coast, Rowles said at the briefing. Studies of both living and dead dolphins revealed moderate to severe lung disease, apparently a result of breathing at the surface amid floating oil and dispersant chemicals, she said. Studies also indicated a decrease in reproduction among the dolphins, she said.
Both health problems continue, she said.
“The lung injury isn’t going away, and the reproductive failure is not going away, as of 2015,” Rowles said. “So these effects are long term.”
Science Alert
A small humpback whale calf was witnessed pushing its mother out to sea on Friday, after she got stranded on a sandbank off the east coast of Australia.
The remarkably stressful, yet heart-warming, story unfolded over the course of 40 minutes near North Stradbroke Island, which lies 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Brisbane....
DONATE
to the non profit wild ocean whale society