Bigg’s killer whale T019C “Spouter” surfaces in the Juan de Fuca Strait. *Photo: Mollie Naccarato, Sooke Coastal Explorations*

As Whales Abound, Salish Sea Boaters Urged to Drive Safely, Look Out for Marine Wildlife Over the Long Canada Day and Fourth of July Weekend

SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC- July 1, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is urging Salish Sea boaters to be on the lookout for whales in advance of the Canada Day and Fourth of July long weekend. Throughout recent weeks, the PWWA has reported large numbers of Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales across wide areas of the Salish Sea. Members of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population have also been reported in the area in the last week. With so many whales spread across the region, encounters with recreational boaters are becoming more common.

High temperatures last weekend lured boaters to the water, but according to the PWWA, many seemed unaware of whales in the area or of how to operate responsibly around them.

“There are whales just about everywhere right now, which is great, but last weekend alone our PWWA operators documented 50 sentinel actions, or protective interventions involving other boaters,” said Erin Gless, the association’s executive director. “Some were proactive, such as hailing ferries or cargo ships to warn of whales along their route, but most were reactive interventions involving boaters traveling too fast or too close to whales. We definitely witnessed some close calls.”

Regulations for boating around whales differ slightly between British Columbia and Washington state.

In British Columbia, boaters are reminded to stay at least:

● 100 metres from most whales, such as humpbacks, gray whales, and minke whales
● 200 metres from most whales if they appear to be resting or have a calf
● 400 metres from all killer whales from Campbell River to Ucluelet

Professional whale watch vessels flying a purple “authorized vessel” flag may view Bigg’s killer whales from 200 metres under Canada’s Sustainable Whale Watch Agreement

In Washington, boaters are reminded to stay at least:

● 100 yards from most whales, such as humpbacks, gray whales, and minke whales
● 200 yards from Bigg’s killer whales
● 300 yards from endangered Southern Resident killer whales

There is also a mandatory 7-knot speed limit in Washington for vessels within ½ nautical mile (1,013 yards) of endangered Southern Resident killer whales.

The Whale Warning Flag is flown when whales are within 1 kilometer. *Photo: Island Adventures Whale Watching*

Boaters throughout the Salish Sea are encouraged to look for vessels flying the brightly-colored Whale Warning Flag which indicates that whales are in the immediate area.

Violations of boating regulations near whales should be reported to:

● Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Observe, Record, and Report Hotline: 1-800-465-4336

● Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s WILDCOMM Hotline: 360-902-2936

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