Minke Whales are a species throughout our coastal waters, but not often seen as they transit inside waters. Their streamlined body allows them to travel great distances after a couple of breaths making them harder to spot, so it's great to have reports on them. Southern Resident Orca seem to be staying below Nanaimo in our inner waters while a number of Unidentified Orca, most likely Transient Bigg's have been spotted above. Humpback Whales are still around but only one was seen in spectacular form closer to the more populated areas close to Port McNeill. We still have a number of Pacific White Sided Dolphins travelling around the center Georgia Strait area and some small Harbour Porpoise are back to foraging in areas off West Vancouver and Texada where they were regularly seen.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whale breaching off of Haddington Island
Darryl Luscombe, Sointula, BC
Society News & Events
Real Time Monitoring Station Update:
We just received the replacement defective part we tested prior to mounting the camera and are testing again. Progress has been riddled with delays, but we can see the light at the end of this hard fought project. Photos will be in our next issue.
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
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Sightings Update
ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-005
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Thu Feb 16 2017
08:29 • 5-10 SRKW Orca foraging, heading north-east between Entrance Island and Gabriola Island, Georgia Strait. Feeding, then moving on fairly slowly. Maybe foraging. After watching them for an hour, what appears to be a research boat pursued them and stayed with the male who changed course. The boat then proceeded to the rest of the pod and they resumed heading N-E. I was able to spot them and the boat about 20 kms off shore about an hour after that. ▫ Observed from Shore
Elsa Bluethner, Gabriola Island, BC
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Sat Feb 25 2017
08:34 • 4 Orca near Blubber Bay on Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Four Unidentified Killer Whales near Blubber Bay on Texada Island
Sat, 25 Feb 2017 - 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Four Unidentified Killer Whales near Blubber Bay on Texada Island
Sat, 25 Feb 2017 - 1 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Thu Feb 23 2017
11:00 • est. 4 Orca heading south by Harwood Island Spit, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Four Unidentified Killer Whales heading South by Hardwood Island Spit
Thu, 23 Feb 2017 - 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Four Unidentified Killer Whales heading South by Hardwood Island Spit
Thu, 23 Feb 2017 - 2 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Wed Feb 22 2017
17:10 • 5 Orca travelling, heading north near Black (Albion) Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Travelling two ahead, two in the middle and one bringing up the rear. ▫ Second Hand
Ed & Carolynn Haggarty, Powell River, BC
Tue Feb 21 2017
--:-- • Orca in Sargeant Bay west of Sechelt, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Gabe and Sherril Torok, Sechelt, BC
Mon Feb 20 2017
12:58 • est. 3 Orca towards Powell River Mill (Pulp & Paper), Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Feb 18 2017
16:10 • 7 Orca travelling, heading east near Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. Two big fins in the group. ▫ On Scene
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Wed Feb 15 2017
14:40 • 5 Orca moving slowly and taking 5 minute dives, off Dick Island near Shelter Point, Georgia Strait. Whales on site just off Shelter Pt on Texada Island from 3pm until dark. They stayed in a small area mostly on the surface but at times diving for up to 5 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Jim Johnson, Texada Island, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Unidentified Killer Whales off of Dick Island in Georgia Strait
Wed, 15 Feb 2017 - 4 items
Jim Johnson, Texada Island, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Unidentified Killer Whales
Unidentified Killer Whales off of Dick Island in Georgia Strait
Wed, 15 Feb 2017 - 4 items
Jim Johnson, Texada Island, BC
Mon Feb 13 2017
15:30 • 8 Orca hunting, heading south off Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, Burrard Inlet. From our residence located above Marine Drive overlooking Stearman beach, we spotted two groups of 4 on B.C. Family Day at approximately 1530 hours. Spotted first group of 4 including large male and one young whale at lighthouse point. They travelled south towards Stearman Beach, went alongside an anchored ship and on towards Dundarave area. The group travelled slowly blowing regularly. The second group of four was further out between Lighthouse point and UBC. They were in view for approximately 20-30 mins. Mainly visible at that distance by their distinct blows. No breaches but first groups' dorsal fins and tops quite visible from shore. Male dorsal fin was quite large. ▫ Observed from Shore
Mike Franczak, West Vancouver, BC
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
HUMPBACK WHALES
Wed Feb 22 2017
15:20 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, heading west between Haddington Island and Nimpkish River, Broughton Strait. I first noticed the whale breaching near the Nimpkish Estuary. It stayed in roughly the same spot for about 15 minutes, continually breaching until it started to move slowly west towards Hyde Creek. Its behaviour was unusual (at least for me). It would come to the surface, blow and then breach. It did this continually for the next 30-40 minutes until I lost sight of the animal when it moved behind Haddington Island. ▫ Observed from Shore
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Darryl Luscombe, Sointula, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching between Haddington Island and Nimpkish River
Wed, 22 Feb 2017 - 2 items
Darryl Luscombe, Sointula, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale breaching between Haddington Island and Nimpkish River
Wed, 22 Feb 2017 - 2 items
Darryl Luscombe, Sointula, BC
Fri Feb 17 2017
13:02 • 1 Humpback Whales off of Favada Point on Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
MINKE WHALES
Sat Feb 25 2017
08:00 • 3 Minke Whales playing, heading north close to Lantzville, Georgia Strait. Two adults and one calf around sea lions very close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Adrienne Baker, Lantzville, BC
08:00 • 2-3 Minke Whales heading north past Sebastian Beach, Lantzville, Georgia Strait. Watched as they rounded the point and headed into Nanoose Bay with last sighting at around 9 am.
Anette Thingsted, Lantzville, BC
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Thu Feb 23 2017
11:15 • PWS Dolphins by Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Sat Feb 18 2017
17:00 • 30-50 PWS Dolphins travelling, heading south in-shore side of Marshall Point south-west of Blubber Bay, Georgia Strait. Stopped for dinner by Marshall Rocks. ▫ Observed from Shore
Sherri Wretham, Powell River, BC
14:00 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins moving quickly, off of Little River by Comox, Georgia Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Janet Hutchinson, Comox, BC
Fri Feb 17 2017
16:59 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins heading north off Powell River Viewpoint, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Susie Rice, Powell River, BC
09:56 • est. 20 PWS Dolphins heading south off Powell River Viewpoint.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading South off of the Powell River Viewpoint
Fri, 17 Feb 2017 - 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 20 Pacific White Sided Dolphins heading South off of the Powell River Viewpoint
Fri, 17 Feb 2017 - 7 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Wed Mar 01 2017
15:31 • 6 Harbour Porpoise foraging, by Cox Lagoon on the west side of Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Harbour Porpoise
Harbour Porpoise By Cox's Lagoon on Texada Island
Wed, 1 Mar 2017 - 3 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Harbour Porpoise
Harbour Porpoise By Cox's Lagoon on Texada Island
Wed, 1 Mar 2017 - 3 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
Fri Feb 24 2017
16:46 • est. 6 Harbour Porpoise travelling, heading north Whytecliff, West Vancouver, Queen Charlotte Channel. Pod was observed for 10 minutes. Two porpoises surfacing every couple of minutes. The other four porpoises surfaced at about 4-5 minute intervals. ▫ Observed from Shore
Ivan Ng, North Vancouver, BC
Jump to: SRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | Minke Whales | PWS Dolphins | Harbour Porpoise | Species Unsure
SPECIES UNSURE
Thu Feb 23 2017
14:30 • 1 Species Unsure moving slowly, Deep Cove, North Saanich, Saanich Inlet. Seen from shore. Staying around Wain Rock. Has blow hole. Small triangular dorsal fin. Seems bigger than a porpoise, guessing 10-12 feet. Solid dark colour. Was closer to shore but now by Wain rock. ▫ Observed from Shore
Bev Ripley, North Saanich, BC
NEW! WOWs Sightings Archive Explorer
Recommended for desktop browsers and newer mobile devices
Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out "KC", the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
• Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page
Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
Dive into over 5,000 Cetacean Sightings, images, videos and audio recordings reported in our Sightings Updates with the WOWS Sightings Archive Explorer
Archive Explorer takes readers into the Cetacean world of the BC Coast. Easily view all Cetacean sighting reports together with all sighting photos and videos:
• View species such as Humpback, Grey Whale or Dalls Porpoise
• Follow the endangered Southern Residents Orca in the Salish Sea
• Search for encounters with T002C2 Tumbo
• Goto Port Alberni to watch a close-up video of Orca in the harbour
• Track the T010s Transients as they hunt and travel the inside passage
• Check-Out "KC", the ever popular Humphack and track his whereabouts this past August
• Goto one of 12,000 named locations on the BC and WA State coast
• Print custom sighting reports and maps (Coming Soon)
Explore this powerfull new research tool with the Archive Explorer Help page
Note: The Cetacean Sightings Archive is also available in database format together with sighting photo and video links for viewing, query and download here
Send your Comments and Questions to: Archive Explorer Feedback
The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
Video: Orcas appear in Vancouver's harbour
The Straight, BC
The revival of marine mammals off the B.C. coast has been one of the most positive environmental stories in years.
There have been spottings of Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and humpback whales in places where they had never been seen for decades.
While the "sixth extinction" is taking place in the Anthropocene Epoch and warrants much attention, there is good news taking place in some temperate regions.
In 2010, the Raincoast Conservation Society released a report chronicling more than 120 species of marine birds along the coast, including giant albatrosses.
And earlier this month, Sauder School of Business professor James Tansey filmed orcas in Vancouver's harbour. You can see them in the video below.
Times Colonist, BC
I am opposed to the proposed “whale protection zone” on the west side of San Juan Island, due to its discrimination against commercial whale-watchers, the people who work tirelessly to educate and do everything in our power to protect our southern resident killer whales (“Push on for orca-protection zone in Haro Strait habitat,” Feb. 5).
Over the past 30 years, the commercial whale-watching industry has taken out five million people on all kinds of vessels to watch seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, minke, humpback and grey whales, transient orca, birds, even wolves and deer, and of course, the focus of this petition, the southern resident killer whales.
Unfortunately, the organizer of this ...
Alaska Dispatch News, AK
For the first time since commercial whalers of past centuries were killing them — legally or illegally — there is now comprehensive accounting of whale abundance in the Gulf of Alaska.
New data about abundance and distribution shows that the Gulf of Alaska is important habitat for whales and porpoises, including some species that are extremely rare and others that are now thriving, more than three decades after international commercial whaling ended.
The results, in a study by scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published in the journal Marine Biology, is the product of extensive surveys ....
INTERNATIONAL
The West Australian, AU
Orca families are again hunting in our Southern Ocean and wildlife tourism operator Naturaliste Charters are running daily charters to capture the raw energy and excitement of this unique natural phenomenon.
Every year between January and April, the remote habitat of Bremer Canyon located 30 miles off the coast of Bremer Bay puts on a marine spectacular unlike anywhere else on earth.
For those unsure of the significance of the area, go no further than the 2015 documentary Super Predator....
Hakai Magazine
There are 24 killer whales living in captivity in aquariums across North America, and approximately 30 more worldwide. For tourists and wide-eyed children, these captive whales are a wonder they may otherwise never see. But for a growing contingent of the public, concern for the whales’ well-being means that even one in captivity is too many. In response to this backlash and changing sense of morality, many aquariums are slowly phasing out their captive breeding programs and live shows, and are redesigning their whale enclosures. But environmental groups say it’s not enough.
Yet releasing the whales into the ocean is not an option. Some whales were captured from the wild, but many were born in tanks and have never seen the waves beyond the walls. The Whale Sanctuary Project believes it has a better solution
Science Daily
In movies and TV shows, dolphins are often portrayed as heroes who save humans through remarkable feats of strength and tenacity. Now dolphins could save the day for humans in real life, too -- with the help of emerging technology that can measure thousands of proteins and an improved database full of genetic data.
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