Transient Orca, which eats mammals like seals and dolphins, were observed on successive days in three different areas. Last Thursday, Transient Orca were observed in Discovery Passage off Campbell River and in Menzies Bay, where they were seen hunting Dall's porpoise. These Orca work cooperatively and are stealthy when hunting, which is a rare occurance for people to observe. Another group of Transient Orca were observed on Friday travelling southward from Raza Island into Sutil Channel, and on Saturday, Transient Orca were observed in the Comox area with a few travelling right into Comox Harbour.
Northern Resident Orca, fish-eating Orca, have been observed in their usual location in Blackfish Sound and Pacific White-Sided Dolphins have been observed in large pods in Johnstone Strait. One pod was estimated to be about 300 dolphins which is truly astouding and a sight to see! Humpback whales have been observed in many of their usual areas, as well as a few other areas such as Okisollo Channel, off Raza Island in Calm Channel, and near Comox. Keep reporting your sightings when you are out on the water!
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Northern Resident Orca, fish-eating Orca, have been observed in their usual location in Blackfish Sound and Pacific White-Sided Dolphins have been observed in large pods in Johnstone Strait. One pod was estimated to be about 300 dolphins which is truly astouding and a sight to see! Humpback whales have been observed in many of their usual areas, as well as a few other areas such as Okisollo Channel, off Raza Island in Calm Channel, and near Comox. Keep reporting your sightings when you are out on the water!
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Humpback Whale fluking in Deer Passage
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Society News & Events
Real Time Monitoring Station Update: We're LIVE!
Connect to our first installation mounted at Beach Gardens Marina click on our YouTube Channel Live Link. Please bear with us as we work on the transmission problems causing the intermittent bouncy images. Even with the bouncy images, we still managed to have a couple of whale sightings. The hydrophone (underwater listening) installation will follow.
Thank You to all our hardworking volunteers and contributors!
Our team of online 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 2017-030
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise
TRANSIENT BIGGS KILLER WHALES
Sat Aug 26 2017
19:00 • 3 Biggs Orca headed into Comox Harbour. One big male and two smaller ones. Swam into Comox harbour and just kept swimming inland.
Jessica Hurtubise, Cumberland, BC
17:53 • 5-6 Biggs Orca heading south off Cape Lazo, Comox, Georgia Strait. Information from a friend. ▫ Second Hand
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Aug 25 2017
19:05 • est. 3 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north-west between Myrtle Rocks and Texada Island, Malaspina Strait. One large whale with slight lop of dorsal fin to left side, one smaller than first, one much smaller than both others. Observed from Garnet Rock Campground. ▫ Observed from Shore
Gord Hoover, Garnet Rock Campground
16:51 • 4 Biggs Orca heading south-west passed Hill Island angling toward Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
14:51 • 4 Biggs Orca travelling, heading north just west of South Rendezvous Island, Drew Passage.
David Gauci, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:00 • Biggs Orca along the shore of Raza Island across from Redonda Bay, Deer Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:43 • Biggs Orca ◦T019 Mooyah; T018 Esperanza; T019C Spouter; T019B Galiano◦ heading west, Pryce Channel.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:37 • Biggs Orca by Brettell Point and Channel Island, Toba Inlet.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:32 • Biggs Orca ◦T018s; T019B Galiano◦ by Snout Point outbound from Toba Inlet.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Thu Aug 24 2017
18:51 • Biggs Orca ◦T010s◦ heading south at entrance to Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
17:24 • Biggs Orca heading south between Seymour Narrows and Race Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:12 • Biggs Orca hunting, centre of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
Robin Peers, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
17:02 • Biggs Orca inside Menzies Bay.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:15 • Biggs Orca in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Very elusive.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:00 • 3 Biggs Orca breaching, heading west in Gabriola Passage off of Pylades Channel. We saw the Prince of Whales boats and other boats and knew something was coming. Then, 2 and finally 3 very large Orca were seen and spent about 15 minutes in the little cove by our property. Some spouts of water, very large dorsal fins, and flapping their tails in the air. Big as we have seen Killer whales before. They left in a westerly direction and we saw them looking out from Gabriola and at Valdez Island. A great feat of nature today..and one that made an impression. ▫ Observed from Shore
John Roman, Gabriola Island, BC
10:42 • Biggs Orca ◦T010s◦ just by Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
08:23 • 2 Biggs Orca heading north at mouth of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Ed Sharkey, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
08:16 • Biggs Orca heading south close to Big Rock near Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Geord Dunstan, Discovery Marine Safaris
08:15 • Biggs Orca heading north in front of Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 23 2017
20:40 • 1 Biggs Orca heading north by Frolander Bay rounding point south of Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Possibly last of pod.
Michelle Hellyer, Powell River, BC
12:00 • 5 Biggs Orca moving slowly, heading north-west off Qualicum Beach, Georgia Strait. Crossed in front of sailboat. ▫ On Scene
Derek Dipple, Ladysmith, BC
Fri Aug 18 2017
15:10 • 4-5 Biggs Orca heading north mid channel past the Powell River Viewpoint heading toward Sliammon, Malaspina Strait.
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales foraging at Sutil Island
Sat, 26 Aug 2017 - 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Transient Biggs Killer Whales
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales foraging at Sutil Island
Sat, 26 Aug 2017 - 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Aug 26 2017
13:15 • NRKW Orca ◦A30s; I15s◦ off Bold Head, Swanson Island, Queen Charlotte Strait. Amazing vocals.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Aug 23 2017
13:22 • NRKW Orca ◦A30s◦ top end of Hanson Island angled toward Cracroft Point, Blackfish Sound.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Fri Aug 25 2017
12:32 • Orca resting, off Sophia Islands, Johnstone Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Aug 17 2017
--:-- • est. 4 Orca milling, off Bowen Island, Collingwood Channel. One large and two small whales. ▫ From Ferry
Joanne Saunders, Powell River, BC
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise
HUMPBACK WHALES
Sat Aug 26 2017
18:19 • 6 Humpback Whales heading north off Texada Island, Georgia Strait. They were heading north and then turned around to head south.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
17:23 • 1 Humpback Whales off Whaletown, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:44 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off Texada Island, Georgia Strait. They were mid channel and were resting at times.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
15:59 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west off Tyee Point, West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:59 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north-west along the eddy line at the west end of West Thurlow Island, Johnstone Strait.
Graham Evans, Stowaway Sailing Adventures
15:57 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
15:55 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
15:30 • 2 Humpback Whales heading east along the north-west side of Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. Swam across the bay, coming up for air frequently.
Jessica Hurtubise, Cumberland, BC
11:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading towards Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel.
11:38 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
10:14 • 4 Humpback Whales in the middle of Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. In pairs.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:57 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, off Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:52 • 2 Humpback Whales in Upper Rapids at the north side of Quadra Island, Okisollo Channel.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Aug 25 2017
15:36 • 3 Humpback Whales, Raza Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
15:36 • 1 Humpback Whales off Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
15:36 • 1 Humpback Whales by Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
15:36 • 2 Humpback Whales by Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
14:47 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, between Hill Island and Centre Islet, Sutil Channel.
14:44 • 1 Humpback Whales resting, off the east shore of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
14:18 • 2 Humpback Whales off the shoreline of Carrington Bay.
14:17 • 3 Humpback Whales heading south off south Penn Islands, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:59 • est. 6 Humpback Whales between Centre Islet and Von Donop Inlet, Sutil Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:59 • 1 Humpback Whales ◦BCY0057 Niagara◦ off South Rendezvous Island, Calm Channel.
10:40 • 1 Humpback Whales in Whale Passage, Sutil Channel. Small one.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:27 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north just south of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Robin Peers, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
10:26 • 2 Humpback Whales between Viner Point and Center Islet, Sutil Channel.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:06 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north toward Stuart Island, Calm Channel.
Jim Rogers, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:30 • 1 Humpback Whales taking long dives, Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Aug 24 2017
17:51 • Humpback Whales off Viner Point, Read Island, Sutil Channel. Active whales.
14:51 • 2 Humpback Whales resting, by Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:48 • 1 Humpback Whales heading south in front of Discovery Harbour Marina, Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Andrew Rice, Campbell River Whale Watching
14:33 • 2-3 Humpback Whales by Raza Island, Raza Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
14:10 • Humpback Whales heading south below Montgomery Bank, Georgia Strait.
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
12:37 • 3 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:15 • Humpback Whales bucking tide, in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:01 • 3 Humpback Whales off north end of Rendezvous Islands, Calm Channel.
10:42 • Humpback Whales off Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:12 • 2 Humpback Whales heading west heading out of Okisollo Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:51 • 2 Humpback Whales by Marina Island off Whaletown, Sutil Channel.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:33 • 2 Humpback Whales by second fish farm in Okisollo Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
--:-- • 1 Humpback Whales in Seal Bay, Georgia Strait. Observed from shore in the evening. ▫ Second Hand
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
Wed Aug 23 2017
19:19 • 2 Humpback Whales ◦BCX0565 Nick◦ heading south by Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
18:46 • 2 Humpback Whales by April Point, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
18:08 • 2 Humpback Whales top end of Marina Island, Sutil Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Three Humpback Whales westing in front of Owen Bay
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 - 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Three Humpback Whales westing in front of Owen Bay
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 - 7 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:57 • 2 Humpback Whales in Evans Bay, Sutil Channel.
17:57 • 1 Humpback Whales north of Hill Island, Sutil Channel.
17:57 • 1 Humpback Whales off Quartz Bay, Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
16:30 • 1 Humpback Whales a couple of miles north of Fawn Bluff in Bute Inlet.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:47 • 2 Humpback Whales off Raza Point, Calm Channel.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales at Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 - 3 items
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Two Humpback Whales at Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 - 3 items
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
15:29 • 2 Humpback Whales at Quadra Island Scallop Farm below Heriot Bay, Sutil Channel.
Josh Grin, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:28 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south 1/4 mile south of Kanish Bay, Discovery Passage.
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
14:20 • 1 Humpback Whales off Church House, Calm Channel.
13:13 • 2 Humpback Whales in Eastwest Bay, Maurelle Island, Calm Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
13:09 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north at Francisco Point, Sutil Channel.
Jen Smalley, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:53 • Humpback Whales milling, in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
12:14 • est. 4 Humpback Whales foraging, off Favada Point, Texada Island, Georgia Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Four Humpback Whales off of Favada Point on Texada Island
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 - 2 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Four Humpback Whales off of Favada Point on Texada Island
Wed, 23 Aug 2017 - 2 items
Micheline Macauley, Texada Island, BC
12:11 • 1 Humpback Whales off Johnstone Bluff, Calm Channel.
11:40 • Humpback Whales by Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
11:16 • Humpback Whales near south end of Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
10:57 • 2 Humpback Whales off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait.
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
10:47 • 1 Humpback Whales heading north close to center Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. After a few minutes, the whale changed direction and travelled southward.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:43 • 1 Humpback Whales south of red can marker at Marina Reef, Sutil Channel. Mugging a pleasure boat.
Radio, overheard or call out
10:42 • 2 Humpback Whales in front of Owen Bay, Okisollo Channel.
10:06 • 5 Humpback Whales off Springer Point, Sonora Island, Okisollo Channel.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
10:00 • 2 Humpback Whales moving quickly, heading north about 5-miles north of the ferry terminal of Comox, Georgia Strait. On surface adjacent to sailboat for several minutes. Then tails up and dived below surface. ▫ On Scene
Derek Dipple, Ladysmith, BC
09:56 • Humpback Whales heading south mid strait in front of the Campbell River Fishing Pier, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:18 • Humpback Whales by Conville Point, Quadra Island, Hoskyn Channel.
Jordan McLean,
09:14 • 2 Humpback Whales heading south by Marina Reef, Sutil Channel.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tue Aug 22 2017
09:30 • 2-3 Humpback Whales heading south close to Texada Island shore, 1 km south of Gillies Bay toward Sabine Channel, Georgia Strait. 3-5 breaths clearly visible from Grassy Point, Hornby Island, followed by dives approx 3 minutes. ▫ Observed from Shore
Rick Bennett, Hornby Island, BC
Mon Aug 21 2017
15:35 • 2 Humpback Whales heading north off Westview heading toward Powell River Townsite by Harwood Island, Malaspina Strait.
Candi Little, Texada Island, BC
09:00 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading north-west off the estuary of Qualicum River, Georgia Strait. Seen from shore near the mouth of the Big Qualicum River. Swimming slowly close to shore, coming up for frequent breaths. Lingered at the outlet of the estuary briefly, then swam away in a northward direction.
One very poor quality photo available. ▫ Observed from Shore
Frances Rigets, Big Qualicum River, BC
Sun Aug 20 2017
11:00 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading south between Powell River Westview Harbour and Coho / Kiddie Point, Malaspina Strait. Coming back from fishing just south of Coho point on Texada island and heading towards the Powell River marina. ▫ On Scene
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Heather Tausig, Lang Bay, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback whale in Geogria Strait between Powell River and Texada Island
Sun, 20 Aug 2017 - 3 items
Heather Tausig, Lang Bay, BC
SIGHTING MEDIA
Humpback Whales
Humpback whale in Geogria Strait between Powell River and Texada Island
Sun, 20 Aug 2017 - 3 items
Heather Tausig, Lang Bay, BC
10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales by Grief Point, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. ▫ Second Hand
Jim Southern, Powell River, BC
Fri Aug 18 2017
13:00 • Humpback Whales breaching, in front of Westview, Powell River, Malaspina Strait. Lots of breaching and blows; a show of a lifetime.
Joanne Saunders, Powell River, BC
Tue Aug 15 2017
17:45 • Humpback Whales in front of Westview, Powell River. Also heard blows at night of the 14th.
Pam Futer, Powell River, BC
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale heading into Deer Passage
Sat, 26 Aug 2017 - 5 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
Humpback Whale heading into Deer Passage
Sat, 26 Aug 2017 - 5 items
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Sat Aug 26 2017
15:49 • est. 300 PWS Dolphins heading west off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri Aug 25 2017
11:31 • est. 100 PWS Dolphins heading west mid Strait between Clarence Island and Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
10:53 • est. 150 PWS Dolphins heading west toward Bear Point, Johnstone Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:24 • est. 100-200 PWS Dolphins heading east 1 mile west of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
09:05 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins now past Howe Island heading up Nodales Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
08:53 • est. 30 PWS Dolphins by Howe Island, Nodales Channel.
Robin Peers, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Thu Aug 24 2017
17:04 • 15 PWS Dolphins, Okisollo Channel. By fish farm.
Radio, overheard or call out
09:22 • 11 PWS Dolphins milling, in front of Quathiaski Cove, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
Wed Aug 23 2017
16:34 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins heading east mid Strait off Kelsey Bay, Johnstone Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
16:18 • PWS Dolphins back and forth between Okisollo Channel and Nodales Channel, Discovery Passage.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:02 • est. 200 PWS Dolphins milling, heading east 1 mile north of Ripple Point, Johnstone Strait.
Shea Majbroda, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jump to: Biggs Orca | NRKW Orca | Orca | Humpback Whales | PWS Dolphins | Dalls Porpoise
DALLS PORPOISE
Fri Aug 25 2017
13:05 • 2 Dalls Porpoise foraging, heading south-east off Tent Island north of Crofton, Stuart Channel. Foraging in circles, and then moved on at very fast clip. ▫ On Scene
Peter Cracknell, Kelsey Bay, BC
Thu Aug 24 2017
17:24 • Dalls Porpoise lost inside Nymphe Cove, Discovery Passage. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:12 • Dalls Porpoise being hunted, centre of Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage.
Robin Peers, Painters Lodge, Campbell River
16:19 • Dalls Porpoise by Denham Bay above Dent Rapids.
Radio, overheard or call out
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
Oak Bay News, BC
They’re exasperating, those creatures that flit across the path or in the wake of boats, leaping and diving so fast we barely see them. Usually the non-expert isn’t close enough to tell apart the harbour porpoise, Dall’s porpoise and Pacific white-sided dolphin. These speedy small cetaceans seem to have nothing to do in life but cavort, feast and have fun.
Their colouration is similar, and we glimpse only a black, white and grey blur as they hyperactively leap about. Had we time to look closely we could see a white-tipped fin on the back of the Dall’s which distinguishes it from the harbour porpoise. Or was it the more rare Pacific white-sided dolphin we saw? This cetacean is larger than a porpoise, but unless they’re side by side it’s hard to tell how large is “larger”.
“Porpoise” comes from “porcus piscus”, or pig-fish as the ancient Romans called it. Linnaeus, father of species classification, gave porpoises the name Delphinus Phocoena or “dolphin seal”, because they resembled both — so we’re not the first to be confused. The Dall’s porpoise is named after William Dall, a quartermaster on a whaling ship who collected the first specimen off Alaska in 1873.....
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
The Garden Island, HI
KEKAHA — Researchers encountered something new off the coast of Kauai during an 11-day August field project — a probable hybrid between a melon-headed whale and rough-toothed dolphin.
“It was side by side with a melon-headed whale as a pair, which was strange because it’s unusual to see such a small group,” said Robin Baird, who headed up the project with Cascadia Research.
Melon-headed whales are a rare sight off Kauai because the population that hangs out around the island cruises throughout the entire archipelago, as opposed to the resident population that lives off the Big Island.
In addition to the probable hybrid, the research team encountered a group of about 200 melon-headed whales during the project, which started Aug. 4.
“It’s unusual off of Kauai, for sure,” Baird said. “And we were able to get a biopsy of the probable hybrid and it’ll be easy from the genetics to say what species (it is).”
The coloring of the probable hybrid, nicknamed Oreo by the crew, is blotchy and reminiscent of the coloring of a rough-toothed dolphin....
The Guardian, UK
Populations of the endangered blue and fin whales, which were hunted nearly to extinction in the 20th century, will not have recovered to even half of their pre-whaling numbers by 2100, according to a new Australian study.
It found that three species – the Antarctic blue (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia), fin (Balaenoptera physalus) and southern right (Eubalaena australis) whales – will have recovered to less than half of their 19th-century numbers by the start of the 22nd century, despite bans on hunting those species being introduced in the 1960s, 1970s and 1930s respectively.
Humpack whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), which are currently at 32% of their pre-whaling population, ...
Metro, UK
Two helpless whales were rescued within three days of each other after getting caught up in fishing ropes.
The incredible operation to save the whales was caught on camera in Hermanus, South Africa – a destination that attracts thousands of British tourists every year.
Footage shows the whales becoming entangled in the ropes and flotation buoys that are used by fishermen in the area.
In both instances, whale watchers contacted the National Sea Rescue Initiative to come and free the whales using specialist cutting gear.
NSRI crew rescued the first whale on Sunday, after turning up and finding them in severe difficulties off the coast at Kleinmond.
Chronicle Herald, NS
Can we find a way to share the sea with those majestic giants of the deep, the North Atlantic right whale?
The question is urgent.
With only perhaps 500 of the endangered marine mammals left, a spate of right whale deaths in recent months has alarmed all concerned with saving these cetaceans.
At least 13 right whales have died off the Atlantic seaboard this summer — 10 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and three more in U.S. waters. Necropsies so far point to ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements as responsible.
Unfortunately, right whales’ natural behaviour puts them at risk in waters heavily used by humans.
The whales, which can live at least 75 years....
The Star, ON
PORTLAND, MAINE—Fearing an existential threat to one of the largest mammals in the sea, the United States government has launched an investigation into a string of deaths of endangered North Atlantic right whales.
At least 13 of the whales have been found dead this year off Atlantic Canada and New England, an unprecedented number experts say threatens the survival of the species.
“The North Atlantic right whale is one of the most critically endangered populations of large whales in the world,” David Gouveia with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries branch said Friday....
Science Daily
Twelve years of data on the health of two Atlantic bottlenose dolphin populations paints a grim reality concerning the wellbeing of the Atlantic Ocean.... "When we look at more than a decade of research, analyzing long-term health data and trends and a variety of environmental factors, we see a number of red flags about the health of our oceans and what it could potentially mean for human health," said Dr. Gregory Bossart, lead author of one of the companion papers, HERA federal permit holder and Chief Veterinary Officer and Senior Vice President at Georgia Aquarium.
The papers examine biological samples and data from 360 dolphins living in two populations -- one living near Charleston, S.C. (CHS) and the other in Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) -- and each focus on one aspect of dolphin health.
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