Transient Bigg's Orca including T063, well known as Chainsaw, T065s and T002Cs all got together briefly between Quadra and Cortez Islands. T065s including T063 are more frequent visitors to the Oregon coast than our inside waters. T002Cs are regulars to our upper Georgia Strait area and frequently stay for long periods of time. The family pod includes T002C2 known as Tumbo with scoliosis of the spine making this family relatively easy to identify.
Numerous Humpback Whales have moved into the upper Georgia Strait, possibly to pass through heading up the coast. One day of reports actually covered seven unique Humpbacks foraging in the Discovery Passage - Cape Mudge area. They even were noted as being close by the Transient Bigg's leaving us wondering if there have been some confrontations.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins were running up and down Discovery Passage with short forays into Johnstone Strait and Nodales Channel. Both the Dalls Porpoise were wise to stay in the upper channels away from the meat eating Biggs Orca, while only two Harbour Porpoise were reported.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Numerous Humpback Whales have moved into the upper Georgia Strait, possibly to pass through heading up the coast. One day of reports actually covered seven unique Humpbacks foraging in the Discovery Passage - Cape Mudge area. They even were noted as being close by the Transient Bigg's leaving us wondering if there have been some confrontations.
Pacific White Sided Dolphins were running up and down Discovery Passage with short forays into Johnstone Strait and Nodales Channel. Both the Dalls Porpoise were wise to stay in the upper channels away from the meat eating Biggs Orca, while only two Harbour Porpoise were reported.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Transient Bigg's Killer Whale, T063 Chainsaw, making an appearance off of Marina Island
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Society News & Events
Annual Raffle: Draw date July 1st. Tickets are only available in person at our information tables or from our volunteers.
Our next locations and events are:
June 22: Quality Foods, Powell River
June 24: Town Centre Mall, Powell River
June 28: Quality Foods, Powell River
June 29: Town Centre Mall, Powell River
July 1: Canada Day 150, Willingdon Beach, Powell River, BC
We will be drawing the winners during the closing ceremonies.
Real Time Monitoring Station Update:
Work on testing camera connectivity at Beach Gardens Marina is ongoing. Thanks you to all the volunteers and contributors who have, and are, working on this first installation!
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your sightings reports are mapped and published regularly. Would you like to join us?
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Sightings Update
ISSUE SIGHTINGS MAP 2017-016
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Mon Jun 19 2017
08:47 • 3 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south in front of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Two adults and young Orca.
Janet Southcott, Powell River, BC
08:40 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south off of Westview in Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T002Cs, heading south off of Westview in Powell River
Mon, 19 Jun 2017 - 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T002Cs, heading south off of Westview in Powell River
Mon, 19 Jun 2017 - 5 items
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
08:15 • est. 4 Biggs Orca heading south about 300 feet in front of the Powell River Ferry terminal, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dave Florence, Powell River, BC
06:20 • 4 Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading south off Sliammon north of Powell River, Malaspina Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T002Cs, heading south off of Sliammon
Mon, 19 Jun 2017 - 1 items
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T002Cs, heading south off of Sliammon
Mon, 19 Jun 2017 - 1 items
Eric Green, Powell River CCG
Sun Jun 18 2017
17:00 • Biggs Orca mid channel between Marina Island and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Reported by Chris. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
16:30 • Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading south-west off Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales moving slowly off of Marina Island heading south-west
Sun, 18 Jun 2017 - 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales moving slowly off of Marina Island heading south-west
Sun, 18 Jun 2017 - 6 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:54 • Biggs Orca ◦T065s; T063 Chainsaw; T002Cs◦ off Viner Point on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:34 • 3-4 Biggs Orca ◦T063 Chainsaw◦ at Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Very active. One big male; possibly T063 Chainsaw. Defintely more Orca in the distance.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 16 2017
17:40 • Biggs Orca headed toward Whaletown along Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:11 • Biggs Orca ◦T002s◦ playing, off Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T002s, playing off of Marina Reef
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 - 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales, T002s, playing off of Marina Reef
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 - 7 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:30 • Biggs Orca heading north by Smelt Bay, Sutil Channel. Reported by Chris. Gary on scene. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
14:10 • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ heading north by Smelt Bay on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:34 • Biggs Orca south of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. Observed by Chris. ▫ On Scene
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
09:24 • Biggs Orca on the west side of Marina Island. Leaving Rebecca Spit now to check. ▫ Second Hand
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Mon Jun 12 2017
--:-- • Biggs Orca ◦T002Cs◦ on the west side of San Juan Island, Haro Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Jun 20 2017
18:03 • 10 Orca heading north mid-channel at Fearney Point, Malaspina Strait.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Jun 18 2017
16:53 • 4 Orca moving quickly, heading north near Egmont, Jervis Inlet. Came close to shore past my place in Jervis Inlet. ▫ Observed from Shore
Beverly Saunders, Jervis Inlet, BC
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Jun 20 2017
17:12 • 2 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south just approaching Cape Mudge, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
15:10 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south mid-channel between Steep Island and the mill in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. Humpbacks are large. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:41 • 2 Humpback Whales just north of the mill in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
11:04 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, near the Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:26 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, at Francisco Point, Sutil Channel. From one of our drivers. ▫ Second Hand
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:54 • 1 Humpback Whales mid-channel facing Big Bay, Yuculta Rapids.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
07:08 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north mid-channel passing Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Mon Jun 19 2017
15:46 • 4 Humpback Whales at Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:44 • 4 Humpback Whales southwest of the buoy at Grant Reefs. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:25 • 4 Humpback Whales at Grant Reefs. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
12:40 • 4 Humpback Whales off the south end of Grant Reefs. Whales about 400-m apart.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:23 • 2 Humpback Whales off Harbott Point, Stuart Island, Calm Channel. Whales pointing towards Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
12:01 • 2 Humpback Whales approaching Harbott Point, Stuart Island. Two small whales.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:10 • 2 Humpback Whales in the east side of Arran Rapids.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
10:05 • 2 Humpback Whales at the red can off Cortes Island, Georgia Strait.
08:09 • 1 Humpback Whales heading towards the green can at Francisco Point on the south-east end of Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun Jun 18 2017
17:00 • 3 Humpback Whales mid channel between Marina Island and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. Reported by Chris. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
16:42 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north passing Mermaid Bay on Dent Island, Dent Rapids.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
14:21 • 2 Humpback Whales breaching, south of Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Sailing Adventures
14:13 • 2 Humpback Whales off Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel. Following the Orca.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales off of Subtle Islands in Sutil Channel
Sun, 18 Jun 2017 - 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales off of Subtle Islands in Sutil Channel
Sun, 18 Jun 2017 - 2 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:30 • 1 Humpback Whales off Viner Point on Read Island, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:34 • Humpback Whales at the Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north passing Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Kaitlin Ross, Sonora Resort
Sat Jun 17 2017
14:31 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Subtle Islands and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
14:10 • 4 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading south off north side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel. 300 meters off Marina Island.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:54 • 4 Humpback Whales off the north side of Marina Island. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Dean Parsonage, 50 North Aventures
10:53 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, still mid channel between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel. Facing south but moving very little, laying on surface.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:25 • 1 Humpback Whales between Whaletown and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
09:36 • 2 Humpback Whales between Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy and Marina Island, Georgia Strait. Closer to Marina Island.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Jun 16 2017
17:13 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north between Subtle Islands and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
17:05 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off west side of Marina Island pointed towards Cape Mudge, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:12 • 2 Humpback Whales off Whaletown, Sutil Channel.
16:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south close to Uganda Passage, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
13:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south between Whaletown and Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
12:54 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦ heading west between Read Island and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
12:50 • 3 Humpback Whales heading east between Centre Islet , Read Island and Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Three Humpback Whales heading east between Centre Islet, Read Island, and Hill Island
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Three Humpback Whales heading east between Centre Islet, Read Island, and Hill Island
Fri, 16 Jun 2017 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:47 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ between Viner Point and Hill Island, Sutil Channel. Observed by Chris. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
11:48 • Humpback Whales south of Carrington Bay on Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:43 • 3 Humpback Whales between Rebecca Spit and Viner Point, Sutil Channel.
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
11:22 • 2 Humpback Whales heading toward shack on Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:17 • 3 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Rebecca Spit, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:17 • 5 Humpback Whales between Read Island and Subtle Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:40 • 3 Humpback Whales heading north off shack on west side of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
09:14 • 1 Humpback Whales at Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. From Sharkey. Two foot waves. ▫ Second Hand
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Thu Jun 15 2017
14:50 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south right out front of Discovery Harbour Marina in Campbell River, Discovery Passage. Fluked in front of the harbour. Fighting the ebb for the next 20 minutes.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
12:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south off Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Behind Grouse Island.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Jun 14 2017
12:25 • 2 Humpback Whales south of Cape Mudge Red Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:33 • 1 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
10:46 • 2-3 Humpback Whales between Mitlenatch Island and Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait. Two boats on site.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:31 • 1 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:19 • 1-2 Humpback Whales in line with Vivian Island near Vancouver Island, Georgia Strait.
09:11 • Humpback Whales taking long dives, heading west by Rebecca Rocks off Powell River, Georgia Strait.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
08:21 • Humpback Whales off Blubber Bay by Texada Island, Malaspina Strait.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
08:16 • 2 Humpback Whales off Blubber Bay, Texada Island.
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC
Tue Jun 13 2017
15:40 • 1 Humpback Whales half a mile off Francisco Point, Georgia Strait.
15:20 • 1 Humpback Whales mid-channel off Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale off of Marina Island
Tue, 13 Jun 2017 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale off of Marina Island
Tue, 13 Jun 2017 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
13:09 • Humpback Whales mid-channel between Marina Island and Quadra Island, Sutil Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale between Marina Reef and Quadra Island
Tue, 13 Jun 2017 - 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale between Marina Reef and Quadra Island
Tue, 13 Jun 2017 - 6 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon Jun 19 2017
16:52 • PWS Dolphins doing circles, near the Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:50 • est. 40 PWS Dolphins heading south in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:12 • PWS Dolphins milling, foraging, and playing, in Plumper Bay, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:28 • PWS Dolphins heading south off Separation Head, Discovery Passage. Some dolphins lagging behind near No Name Creek. ▫ Leaving the Scene
14:09 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins spread out, heading south off No Name Creek, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Sun Jun 18 2017
17:30 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south in front of Kanish Bay on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:15 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins heading south mid channel abeam Kanish Bay on Quadra Island.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Sat Jun 17 2017
11:30 • PWS Dolphins spread out, heading south between Elk Bay and Granite Point, Discovery Passage. 7 knots.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
08:36 • 50-60 PWS Dolphins by Devils Hole off Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
Fri Jun 16 2017
15:04 • PWS Dolphins off Howe Island, Nodales Channel. Large group.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Wed Jun 14 2017
14:20 • est. 75 PWS Dolphins at Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 75 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Ripple Point
Wed, 14 Jun 2017 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
About 75 Pacific White Sided Dolphins at Ripple Point
Wed, 14 Jun 2017 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:37 • est. 50 PWS Dolphins spread out, heading north abeam of Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:51 • est. 50-75 PWS Dolphins travelling, heading south just south of Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Reuben Buerge, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
DALLS PORPOISE
Mon Jun 19 2017
11:30 • est. 10 Dalls Porpoise playing, off Little Dent Island, Dent Rapids. In two groups.
Colin Griffinson, Pacific Yellowfin Charters
Sat Jun 17 2017
Jump to: Biggs Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise | Harbour Porpoise
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Tue Jun 20 2017
11:30 • 2 Harbour Porpoise taking long dives, heading south mid-channel off of Eagles Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
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
CTV News
The report makes three recommendations, including that all commercial passenger vessels operating beyond sheltered waters carry emergency radio beacons that activate automatically to transmit a boat's position.
The board also recommends that passenger vessels across Canada adopt risk-management processes that identify hazards, such as areas known to have large, breaking waves.
Peninsula Daily News, WA
San Juan County officials are brainstorming local ways to protect Southern resident killer whales.
Suggestions at the June 6 council meeting ranged from more enforcement of current state boating regulations to a 10-year moratorium on catching chinook salmon in the county.
The county plan, said Smith, could include local alternatives generated from the recently proposed whale protection zone to the fisheries department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
If the NOAA petition passes, commercial and private whale watching boats would be prohibited from entering the entire length of the west side of San Juan Island, where orcas often feed.
Members of three environmental organizations petitioned for the protection zone because boat noise hinders orcas’ ability to locate food, which they do by omitting noise and listening to the length of returned vibrations.
Possible measures included having the county:
• Enforce a 10-year moratorium on catching chinook salmon in San Juan County, though the county prosecuting attorney told the Journal fishing regulations are determined by the state and not the county.
• Implement a low-speed zone in Haro Strait for all vessels, including private and commercial.
• Fund local chinook salmon hatcheries to increase production.
• Prohibit building waterfront walls on soft beaches to protect chinook’s food source of forage fish, even if the beaches don’t include forage fish today. Sometimes rock or concrete walls are built on beaches to prevent erosion.
• Stop introducing invasive species, such as Atlantic salmon, which feed on the same forage fish as chinook.
• Prevent the destruction of eelgrass to protect forage fish.
Peninsula Daily News, WA
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is seeking proposals for grants for orca protection.
The Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program was launched in 2015 with support from SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. to study and protect orcas in the wild.
This year, Shell Oil Co. supported the program with $250,000.
Proposals are due July 14. The full request for proposals can be found at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-orcagrants. Awards are anticipated by December.
Most of the grants will be for projects that focus on the habitats used by southern resident orcas, the foundation said.
The Killer Whale Research and Conservation Program focuses on three strategies: increasing prey availability, improving habitat quality and strengthening management through research.
In the first two years, the program has awarded nine grants totaling more than $1 million, which leveraged more than $1.4 million in matching support from grantees....
WEST COAST
Alaska Dispatch
In the Bering Sea, near the edge the continental shelf, fishermen are trying to escape a predator that seems to outwit them at every turn, stripping their fishing lines and lurking behind their vessels.
The predators are pods of killer whales chasing down the halibut and black cod caught by longline fishermen. Fishermen say the whales are becoming a common sight — and problem — in recent years, as they've gone from an occasional pest to apparently targeting the fishermen's lines.
Killer whales targeting fishing vessels happens all over Alaska, including in the western Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands. But it's more common on the Bering Sea's continental shelf, where a higher density of whales overlaps with halibut and black cod fishing grounds.
Studies show that at least 1,475 killer whales use Western Alaska waters.
Japanese fishermen first encountered thieving orcas ...
Atlas Obscura
IN JULY OF 1844, A pod of bottlenose dolphins showed up in the Potomac River. Surprised, a group of men grabbed their guns and hopped into some boats. They followed the dolphins past the future home of Arlington National Cemetery, past John Tyler’s White House, and all the way upriver to Aqueduct Bridge, at which point they finally let them be.
Fast forward to 2017. The White House has a new occupant, but there are still dolphins in the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River.
Ongoing research by the Potomac-Cheseapeake Dolphin Project—the first of its kind, headed up by the bottlenose expert Janet Mann of Georgetown University—has counted around 500, and the numbers keep climbing. They’ve even named one of them after John Tyler.
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Treehugger
An underwater photographer found himself amidst a rare and enormous gathering of sperm whales; his photos are out of this world.
Tony Wu is a naturalist and photographer who has been using his gifts for decades to encourage people to appreciate and protect the beauty of the oceans. Last year he was out at sea in a small boat looking for whales when lo and behold, he saw not one, but many. As he recounts for the wonderful website, bioGraphic ...
CBC News, NB
A trapped beluga whale that swam into the Nepisiguit River by mistake two weeks ago was rescued Thursday and flown from Bathurst, N.B., to Quebec.
Scientists who ran the 2½-hour rescue mission said the whale will join an adoptive pod in the St. Lawrence River.
The mammal wouldn't have got out of the river on its own, the experts said.
They hope the rescue will improve the whale's chance of survival after its stay in the northern New Brunswick river.
The rescue mission got underway early
For more details:
• Full Length Video
• Full Length Video
National Observer
A mass bleaching of coral reefs worldwide is finally easing after three years, U.S. scientists announced Monday.
About three-quarters of the world's delicate coral reefs were damaged or killed by hot water in what scientists say was the largest coral catastrophe.
The forecast damage doesn't look widespread in the Indian Ocean, so the event loses its global scope. Bleaching will still be bad in the Caribbean and Pacific, but it'll be less severe than recent years, said NOAA coral reef watch co-ordinator C. Mark Eakin.
Places like Australia's Great Barrier Reef, northwest Hawaii, Guam and parts of the Caribbean have been hit with back-to-back-to-back destruction, Eakin said.
University of Victoria, British Columbia, coral reef scientist Julia Baum plans to travel to Christmas Island in the Pacific where the coral reefs have looked like ghost towns in recent years. ...
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