What a wonderful surprise to hear about a possible Fin Whale appearing just off Comox one evening last week. Having a Fin Whale within the inside waters is extremely rare and must have delighted a few lucky observers. Unfortunately we have no confirmation of the report, but our closest possibility is a Minke Whale report. A gathering of 10 Harbour Porpoises were also observed off of Cape Mudge this past week. Many more reports of sightings of Resident Killer Whales have come in, especially the Northern Residents. Our report includes one sighting of Dall's Porpoises, many large groups of Pacific White Sided Dolphins, Bigg's Killer whales, and Humpback Whales.
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Ivan Ng, Wild Ocean Whale Society
NRKW A73 Springer playing with kelp off Telegraph Cove
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Society News & Events
A reminder to all out on the water to be very aware of any Whales, Dolphins or Porpoise. Slow down around them. Better yet, if you find yourself closer to any of these wonderful animals than the guidelines allow, put the boat into neutral and enjoy watching them as you drift. Please pay attention boaters!
Our team of Volunteers continue to do a great job in making sure all your reports are mapped and published each week.
Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
We are also preparing for our first Real Time Monitoring Station and will be posting additional callout for Volunteers in this regard.
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Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-024
TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
Mon Aug 01 2016
Jilann Lechner, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
14:30 • 4-5 Bigg`s Orca heading North from Bowyer Island. They continued up towards Squamish. One big bull and at least one smaller calf size whale. They were close to shore. ▫ Observed from Shore
Dawn Hope, Lions Bay
Sun Jul 31 2016
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Thu Jul 28 2016
18:31 • Bigg`s Orca heading North in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage. Moving at 12 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
17:25 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North off the old mill at Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ◦T51◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T51 and an unidentified friend
Thu, 28 Jul 2016 - 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T51 and an unidentified friend
Thu, 28 Jul 2016 - 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:42 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North 1/2 mile off the beach at Willow Point, Georgia Strait. Going 7 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:38 • 2 Bigg`s Orca heading North between Manson Passage and Sentry Shoal, Malaspina Strait. ◦T51◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T51 and friend off Savary Island
Thu, 28 Jul 2016 - 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T51 and friend off Savary Island
Thu, 28 Jul 2016 - 8 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed Jul 27 2016
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
16:40 • 8-9 Bigg`s Orca heading North east of Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce
15:21 • Bigg`s Orca angling towards Mitlenatch Island 2 miles off the West side of Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
13:28 • Bigg`s Orca past Grant Reefs angling towards Savary Island, Georgia Strait.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T100s near Savary I., Georgia Strait
Wed, 27 Jul 2016 - 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Transient Bigg's Killer Whales
T100s near Savary I., Georgia Strait
Wed, 27 Jul 2016 - 8 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Rick Steen, Powell River Fishing Guide
Wed Jul 20 2016
20:45 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading West heading towards Grant Reefs off Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. Whales had been milling then picked up the pace. ▫ Observed from Shore
John and Joan Treen, Powell River and Savary Island, BC
NORTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 02 2016
Radio, overheard or call out
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Radio, overheard or call out
13:48 • 9 NRKW Orca heading West from Innes Passage :: Passage along Sonora towards Dent Rapids :: Tidal Rapids. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:47 • 5-6 NRKW Orca heading West on mainland shore between Cordero Lodge and Greene Point, Cordero Channel.
John Lewis, Discovery Marine Safaris
Gordon Prezioso, Eagle Eye Adventures
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Aug 01 2016
14:20 • NRKW Orca moving slowly, heading East abeam of Cracroft Point, West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
14:00 • 7 NRKW Orca heading South-East Burnt Point, Hanson Island, Blackfish Sound. ◦A35s, Springer and baby◦ ▫ On Scene
11:45 • 6-7 NRKW Orca heading West White Cliff Islets, Queen Charlotte Strait. ◦A24s, A66◦ ▫ On Scene
Alison Martin, Victoria
--:-- • NRKW Orca just off Telegraph Cove, Broughton Strait. ◦A42s and A73 Springer◦
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A42s and A73 Springer off Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait
Mon, 1 Aug 2016 - 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
SIGHTING MEDIA
Northern Resident Killer Whales
A42s and A73 Springer off Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait
Mon, 1 Aug 2016 - 4 items
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun Jul 31 2016
13:49 • NRKW Orca heading West off Boat Bay and Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve, Johnstone Strait. ◦A5s◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
11:51 • NRKW Orca heading West just West of Eve River, Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait. Speed of 6 knots.
Jordan McLean, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
Fri Jul 29 2016
14:11 • NRKW Orca heading West at Eagle Eye Cliffs on West Cracroft Island, Johnstone Strait. ◦A42s, A30s, A46◦
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu Jul 28 2016
13:14 • NRKW Orca heading West from Cracroft Point to Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait. ◦A23s;A25s;A42s;A34s;A24s;A46◦
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Residents, July 24
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 - 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Northern Resident Killer Whales
Northern Residents, July 24
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 - 2 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES
Sat Jul 30 2016
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Wed Jul 27 2016
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
UNIDENTIFIED KILLER WHALES
Tue Aug 02 2016
Jilann Lechner, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:11 • 2 Orca heading North just entering Johnstone Strait from the light at Chatham Point, Johnstone Strait.
Chatham Point Lightkeeper
Mon Aug 01 2016
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
HUMPBACK WHALES
Tue Aug 02 2016
10:50 • 2 Humpback Whales heading Unknown Direction mid-channel between Race Point and Walcan Seafood Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ With another Humpback Whale.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:22 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ This whale is just a bit North of the one breaching by Garry.
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
08:25 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North by Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait.
Radio, overheard or call out
06:30 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North about 100 meters off shore from Big Rock Boat Ramp, Campbell River, Georgia Strait.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Mon Aug 01 2016
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
16:25 • 2 Humpback Whales milling, 2 miles off of Shelter Point, Georgia Strait. ◦BCY0291 KC; BCY0767 Arial◦
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
12:56 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South off the Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Elvis Chikite, Eagle Eye Adventures
Bradden Kiley, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North-West heading towards Lizard Point on Malcolm Island, Queen Charlotte Strait. ▫ On Scene
Alison Martin, Victoria
08:37 • 1 Humpback Whales by the Cape Mudge Fishing Hump off Wilby Shoals, Georgia Strait. ▫ Radio Report
Radio, overheard or call out
Sun Jul 31 2016
16:10 • 3 Humpback Whales milling, between Stubbs Island and Plumper Islands, Weynton Passage. ▫ On Scene
Alison Martin, Victoria, BC
11:45 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading North-West between Subtle Islands and the South end of Read Island, Sutil Channel. Not sure of the size but would estimate 25 feet. Plenty big from a kayak! Appeared to be diving. ▫ From Kayak or Paddleboard
Bruce Methven, Victoria, BC
Sat Jul 30 2016
Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
Fri Jul 29 2016
15:37 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North behind Jimmy Judd Island heading towards Vancouver Bay, Yuculta Rapids.
15:07 • 1 Humpback Whales in front of Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ Report from Pacific Yellowfin Charters. ▫ Second Hand
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Thu Jul 28 2016
Michelle Pennell, Powell River, BC
Susan MacKay, Whales and Dolphins B.C.
13:33 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South on a line between Sentry Shoal and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. Non-fluker.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
11:15 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North right between Manson Passage and Sentry Shoal, Malaspina Strait. A small whale.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
10:23 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North between Sentry Shoal and Grant Reefs, Georgia Strait. No flukes.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sylvie Paquette, Powell River, BC
Wed Jul 27 2016
15:20 • 4 Humpback Whales approaching the North-West side of Savary Island, Malaspina Strait. 2 groups of whales 1 mile apart.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Radio, overheard or call out
Aaron Webber, Campbell River Whale Watching
Bradden Kiley, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
Jackie Scott, Savary Island
Tue Jul 26 2016
20:23 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading North-East off Hornby Island towards Texada Island, Georgia Strait. Reported from Hilary. ▫ Second Hand
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
HBs at Copper Bluffs, Across from Campbell R.
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 - 4 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
SPECIES SUPPLEMENT
Humpback Whales
HBs at Copper Bluffs, Across from Campbell R.
Sun, 24 Jul 2016 - 4 items
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Aaron Nagler, Wild Whales Vancouver, BC
MINKE WHALES
Wed Jul 27 2016
--:-- • 1 Minke Whales moving quickly, heading South 90m off Royston, Baynes Sound. A friend saw what he thought was a Minke maybe. It was seen in Royston only 100 yards off shore and in about 15-20’ water. Moved fairly quickly south through Baynes sound with no tail fluke seen. I went out to have a look about 30 minutes after he spotted it but was unable to locate anything. Picture is attached below. He said it was much to large to be a Porpoise. ▫ Second Hand
Bill Coltart, Pacific Pro Dive
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Tue Aug 02 2016
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort
Radio, overheard or call out
Mon Aug 01 2016
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jordan McLean, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
Sun Jul 31 2016
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort
Radio, overheard or call out
Sat Jul 30 2016
13:22 • 30+ PWS Dolphins milling, at Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
LAGs at Horn Pt, Dent Rapids
Sat, 30 Jul 2016 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTING MEDIA
Pacific White Sided Dolphins
LAGs at Horn Pt, Dent Rapids
Sat, 30 Jul 2016 - 4 items
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Tenacious3 (Boat), Discovery Marine Safaris
Radio, overheard or call out
Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort
Fri Jul 29 2016
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Bradden Kiley, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
Thu Jul 28 2016
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Jen Smalley, Sonora Resort
Wed Jul 27 2016
DALL'S PORPOISE
Mon Aug 01 2016
Bradden Kiley, Painter's Lodge, Campbell River
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Mon Aug 01 2016
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-024
The Magazine
Ther Mercury News, CA
An unusually high number of humpback and blue whales are gorging on krill this week in the Monterey Bay.
The influx of whales and krill began Saturday, according to Nancy Black, a marine biologist and owner of Monterey Bay Whale Watch. A few miles offshore of Monterey, her crew discovered a mob of dozens of humpbacks, blowing air around the boat.
Thanks to high winds in June, an upwelling of cold water from deep below has drawn large amounts of the tiny shrimp, a favorite food of humpback and blue whales. This is the first significant krill bloom in the Monterey Bay in years, said Black.
The Island Packet, SC
Ecologists are using drones to come up with more precise lists of the whale and dolphin pods around Hawaii.
Citizen Digital, Kenya
NOAA is preparing a plan that could force reductions in noise-making activities, including oil exploration, dredging and shipping off the nation’s coast.
“We’ve been worried about ocean noise for decades, since the 1970s,” said Richard Merrick, chief science adviser to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries agency and a key author of the agency’s more detailed 10-year plan to be released publicly later this year. “The question is, what should we do now?” ...
INTERNATIONAL
CBC News
Scientists have made the rare discovery of a new whale species.
The new species doesn't yet have a name, but the beaked whale is black and lives in the Bering Sea between Japan and Alaska, researchers report in the journal Marine Mammal Science this week.
They identified the new species through the genetic analysis of samples from eight specimens....
Science, USA
Humpback whales will vigorously defend their own calves when attacked by killer whales, of course. But after analyzing other encounters between the two species, Pitman and his colleagues conclude that humpback whales will also launch preemptive attacks on their predators. Sometimes the intent seemed to be protecting another whale’s calf. But more often, like with the Weddell seal, the humpbacks for some reason helped a different species....
National Geographic Blog, US
Although we live thousands of miles and an ocean apart, my brother Giovanni and I share not only the same bloodline but also a passion for dolphins. For more than two decades, both of us have conducted scientific and conservation research on marine mammals in the wild; Gio in the waters of Croatia, Italy and Greece, and I, mostly off the California coast. Over the years, we’ve traded opinions and observations regarding the animals and oceans we care so much about.
Spending thousands of hours at sea in company of dolphins, we have both learned about the everyday complex social existence of these large-brained aquatic mammals...
Phys.org Spotlight News
They clearly have something on their minds - but to be perfectly honest, we haven't the faintest idea what that might be."
That is how the University of Southern Denmark marine biologists Magnus Wahlberg and Claudia Oliveira summarised their findings following their research trip to the Azores, where they ventured out to sea to attach listening instruments to seven sperm whales and subsequently attempted to analyse the strange tapping sounds they make, known as codas....
The National, UAE
DUBAI // Data collected on the UAE’s first dolphin map has been released, showing several hundred sightings of the popular mammals in the country’s coastal waters.
For the past three years, members of the public shared details of where and when they spotted dolphins, with 419 sightings recorded, mainly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai....
Gold Coast, AU
Bond University Professor Daryl McPhee said while humpback whale numbers had boomed in past years, there was a plethora of other large marine mammals that made use of Gold Coast waterways. “We should be celebrating seeing these large animals up close and, given humpback whale numbers are growing by 10 per cent a year, we should be seeing a lot more of them,” he said.
However, he said the humpbacks were just one of 13 cetacean species members that made use of the waterways surrounding Moreton Bay....
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