A large group of Bigg's killer whales. *Photo: Jeff Friedman, Maya's Legacy Whale Watching (PWWA)*

Bigg’s Killer Whales Drive Increased Salish Sea Whale Sightings in 2024
Humpback Whales Also a Daily Sight in Local Waters

SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - August 13, 2024 - Local sightings of Bigg’s killer whales, also known as orcas, are up in 2024 according to the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) and Orca Behavior Institute (OBI), buoyed by a five-month streak of Bigg’s killer whales being reported every day in the Salish Sea.

OBI, a local research group that compiles whale reports from professional whale watchers, regional sightings groups, and community scientists throughout Washington and British Columbia, recently shared that Bigg’s (mammal-hunting) killer whales have been reported in the Salish Sea every day since March 12, 2024.

“It’s quite the streak,” says Erin Gless, executive director of the PWWA. “Knock on wood, but the season has been very good for viewing killer whales so far.”

July was particularly noteworthy, with 214 unique sightings of Bigg’s killer whales last month alone. “That’s a 70% increase over the 124 unique sightings we had in July 2023”, shares Monika Wieland Shields, director of OBI. OBI defines a “unique sighting” as a sighting of a distinct group of Bigg’s killer whales on a specific day. While the same group of whales may be reported by multiple sources, OBI only counts each group once per day.

A group of Bigg’s killer whales. *Photo: Jane Wilson, Ocean EcoVentures (PWWA)*

LARGE GROUPS AND NEW CALVES

PWWA whale watch vessels documented several large groups of Bigg’s killer whales last month, some numbering more than 20-30 individuals. One particularly large gathering contained 41 different killer whales from various families all traveling together. Bigg’s killer whales feed on marine mammals, primarily seals, sea lions, and porpoises, all of which are abundant year-round in Washington waters. This bounty of prey has allowed the Bigg’s killer whale population to grow steadily in recent years. According to Bay Cetology, another local research organization, 14 Bigg's killer whale calves have been officially added to the population so far this year - eight born in 2024 and six born in recent years but not documented until 2024. These additions bring the coastal Bigg’s killer whale population to roughly 380 individuals. In contrast, the region’s other killer whales, the Southern Residents, rely on salmon and are endangered, numbering fewer than 75 individuals. Local whale watch tours do not focus on Southern Residents.

Bigg’s killer whales are not the only species delighting whale watchers this season. Humpback whales, which measure the length of a school bus, are also being seen on a daily basis according to the PWWA. A few hundred humpbacks come to the Salish Sea each year to feed on small fish and krill before migrating south in winter.

“We’re fortunate to live in a place where the question isn’t, ‘Will we see whales?’ but rather, ‘Which whales will we see?’”, says Gless. “Nothing in nature is 100% guaranteed, but here in the Salish Sea, the chance of seeing whales is really high.”

BIGG’S KILLER WHALE SIGHTINGS UP IN 2024

First Humpback Calf of 2024 Spotted in Salish Sea