PWWA 7/1/22 PWWA 7/1/22

Salish Sea Boaters Urged to Drive Safely, Look Out for Marine Life Over Long Holiday Weekend

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

A breaching Bigg’s killer whale. *Photo: Sara Jenkins, Wild Whales Vancouver*

Humpback whale BCY1000 “Hydra”. *Photo: Ellie Sawyer, Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching*

PWWA 5/4/22 PWWA 5/4/22

First Salish Sea Humpback Calf of 2022 Spotted, Just in Time for Mother’s Day

Big Mama (left) and her 7th calf (right). *Photo: Bethany Shimasaki, Western Prince Whale Watching*

First Salish Sea Humpback Calf of 2022 Spotted, Just in Time for Mother’s Day

Iconic Humpback “Big Mama” Swims 3,000 Miles Back from Hawaii with 7th Calf in Tow

SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - May 4, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) today announced that the first humpback whale calf of the 2022 season has arrived in the Salish Sea, just in time for the upcoming Mother’s Day weekend. Fittingly, the calf belongs to the most famous Salish Sea humpback mother of all, BCY0324, known as “Big Mama.”

On Monday afternoon, naturalist Bethany Shimasaki of Western Prince Whale Watching reported a humpback whale and calf in Boundary Pass near the US/Canadian border. The mother humpback did not immediately show her tail, the feature typically used for identifying humpback whale individuals, but images revealed Big Mama’s signature – a small bump on the right side of her dorsal fin. The match has since been confirmed by BC-based researcher Tasli Shaw of the Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea project.

“When the news traveled over the radio, there was instant celebration,” said PWWA’s executive director, Erin Gless. “Big Mama was one of the first humpback whales to repopulate the Salish Sea after the whaling era and has been feeding here regularly since 1997. We always look forward to her return, but even more so when she brings a calf with her.”

3,000 MILE SWIM FOR MOM AND CALF

Big Mama’s latest calf was not entirely a surprise, according to Gless. In February, Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures of Lahaina, Hawaii reported seeing Big Mama with a newborn. The crew shared their sighting to Happywhale.com, a site that connects researchers, whale watching naturalists, and citizen scientists around the world, and alerted the PWWA of the news.

Crossing the Pacific with a calf can be fraught with threats in the form of fishing gear, commercial shipping traffic, and killer whales, but Big Mama is a seasoned pro. She has given birth to at least six prior calves in her lifetime. Her last calf, “Pop-Tart” was born in 2016 and named for his or her fondness of playfully popping up out of the water. Big Mama’s seventh calf seems to share that energetic spirit. The little one was seen breaching, cartwheeling, and splashing throughout the day.

In the coming weeks, more and more humpbacks will return to the Salish Sea from their breeding grounds in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America. Humpback whales typically remain in the region throughout the spring, summer, and fall while they feed on krill and small fish. Last year, a record 21 humpback whale calves were sighted throughout the Salish Sea.

Big Mama’s 7th calf playing on its back. *Photo: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours*

Big Mama’s 7th calf playing on its side. *Photo: April Ryan, Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching*

Big Mama and her tiny calf. *Photo: Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales*

PWWA 4/1/22 PWWA 4/1/22

70+ Bigg's Killer Whales Seen in Salish Sea Thursday, New Single-Day Record

No April Foolin’ - More Than 70 Bigg’s Orcas Seen Throughout Salish Sea on Thursday

Whale Watchers Report New Single-Day Bigg’s Killer Whale Record

SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - April 1, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) announced that whale watchers in Washington and southern British Columbia documented at least 72 Bigg’s killer whales Thursday, a new single-day record. “The number might sound unbelievable,” says PWWA executive director Erin Gless, “but it’s no April Fools’ joke.”

Over the course of the day, ten distinct groups of Bigg’s killer whales were reported throughout the Salish Sea, ranging as far south as Hood Canal in Washington’s Puget Sound, and as far north as Vancouver Island’s Campbell River region in British Columbia. The largest group, spotted by PWWA operators near the northern San Juan Islands, contained 19 killer whales in total. “We were watching a group of four whales when, out of nowhere, 15 more materialized,” shares naturalist Sam Murphy of Island Adventures Whale Watching in Anacortes, WA. “It was magical.”

“This was an awesome community effort with watchers from Campbell River to Puget Sound contributing sightings and photos”, says Monika Wieland Shields, director of Orca Behavior Institute on San Juan Island. “We wonder how long this increase in Bigg’s killer whales will continue, but they keep setting records. More than 70 in the region in one day is astounding.”

Mark Malleson, researcher for the Center for Whale Research and long-time guide for Prince of Whales in Victoria, BC, confirmed the number as a new Salish Sea record. “There have been days in the last decade with around 50 different Bigg’s killer whales reported, maybe 60,” said Malleson, “but Thursday was certainly the most so far.”

One of the most recognizable individuals spotted Thursday was T63 “Chainsaw”, an adult male killer whale born in 1978. Known for his jagged dorsal fin, he and his mom, T65 “Whidbey” were seen near the US-Canada border in Haro Strait. Unlike endangered Southern Resident killer whales who feed on salmon, Bigg’s killer whales like Chainsaw hunt marine mammals and are thriving thanks to an abundance of seals and sea lions in the region.

Bigg’s killer whale brothers T101A “Rush” and T101B “Lagoon”. *Photo: Ellie Sawyer, Maya’s Legacy, PWWA*

T63 “Chainsaw”. *Photo: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA*

Bigg’s killer whale hunting. *Photo: Sam Murphy, Island Adventures, PWWA*

T63 “Chainsaw”. *Photo: Valerie Messier, Prince of Whales, PWWA*

T137A “Jack” swims through Active Pass. *Photo: Rachelle Hayden, Salish Sea Orca Squad*

PWWA 3/8/22 PWWA 3/8/22

PWWA's 2021 Sightings & Sentinel Actions Report Released

Pacific Whale Watch Association Releases Comprehensive 2021 Summary Report

New Report Reflects 13,000+ Wildlife Sightings, Nearly 900 Protective Sentinel Actions in Salish Sea

SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - March 8, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) has just released the organization’s 2021 Sightings & Sentinel Actions Report. The 29-page report was generated using data from the PWWA App, a private app utilized by PWWA captains, naturalists, crew during whale and wildlife tours.

Last year, more than 13,000 reports of whales and other wildlife were entered in the PWWA App. Bigg’s killer whales were the whales most frequently documented by PWWA App users, with 5,575 entries spanning 304 days of 2021. Humpback whales were the second most frequently reported cetaceans, reported on 301 days, followed by gray whales on 146 days and minke whales on 145 days. Salmon-eating resident killer whales were documented least frequently, with Southern Resident killer whales reported by PWWA App users on 99 days and Northern Resident killer whales reported on 53 days.

In addition to whale sightings, PWWA members documented nearly 900 “sentinel actions” in 2021. A sentinel action is defined by the PWWA as an action taken by professional whale watchers during a tour to protect or benefit whales and other wildlife. Samples of sentinel actions performed by the PWWA in 2021 include:

Stopping other vessels from speeding near whales
Proactively warning vessels of whales nearby
Removing harmful debris from the water
Reporting sick or entangled animals to proper authorities

Of 874 sentinel actions documented in 2021, 753 (86%) involved directly contacting other vessels. The PWWA was successful in slowing, stopping, or diverting nearby vessels in the presence of whales in at least 70% of sentinel actions, resulting in quieter and safer conditions. In most cases, PWWA operators were the only vessels available to alert other boats to the presence of whales and influence their operating behavior.

The complete PWWA 2021 Sightings & Sentinel Actions Report can be accessed here.

PWWA 1/11/22 PWWA 1/11/22

2021 Was a Banner Year for Whales in Salish Sea

New Bigg’s orca calf T124A7. Photo: Karac Lindsay, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA

2021 Was a Banner Year for Whales in Salish Sea
New Data Show Record Number of Sightings; Baby Boom Continues for Bigg’s Orcas,
Humpback Whales

SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - January 11, 2022 - 2021 was a challenging year for many, but for whale lovers on the Salish Sea, it was one of the best years yet, according to year-end data just compiled by the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) and local researchers.

According to the PWWA, which operates year-round whale watching tours in Washington and British Columbia, Bigg’s killer whales were the most frequently documented whales in the region last year, followed by humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales. Endangered Southern Resident killer whales were encountered least often. Their declining presence in the Salish Sea has been correlated to a decrease in Fraser River Chinook, according to PWWA naturalists. Many tours viewed more than one whale species during their trips and on Mother’s Day, multiple companies reported “Grand Slams” spotting orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, and gray whales in a single tour. PWWA vessels also administered nearly 900 protective interventions, or ‘sentinel actions,’ in the Salish Sea during 2021, detailed further below.

Monika Wieland Shields, director of Orca Behavior Institute on San Juan Island, confirmed a record-breaking presence of Bigg’s killer whales in 2021. Based on reports from professional whale watchers, regional sightings groups, and shore-based observers, Bigg’s killer whales were documented in the Salish Sea during 1,067 unique sightings across 329 days. The previous record, set in 2019, was 747 unique sightings. In contrast, salmon-eating Southern Resident killer whales were documented on just 103 days, or 28% of the year.

“It has been incredible to witness the continued rise of Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea,” said Shields. “In 2021, there were days when we documented 10 different groups of Bigg’s throughout the region totaling more than 50 whales.

The Bigg’s killer whale population, which feeds on marine mammals like seals and sea lions, is growing at more than 4% per year according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 11 new Bigg’s calves were born in 2021 including the most recent, T124A7, who was spotted by PWWA member companies near Victoria on New Year’s Eve. The number 7 at the end of the calf’s ID number indicates it is the seventh baby born to 37-year old mother T124A, “Kittiwake”.

“It’s crazy to think that whales like Kittiwake have given birth to so many babies given that the gestation period for orcas is 16-18 months - almost twice that of a human”, says Erin Gless, executive director of the PWWA. “The calf looked great and at one point adorably seemed to take a turn leading the family.”

Breaching humpback whale. *Photo: Simon Pidcock, Ocean Ecoventures, PWWA*

Bigg’s killer whales are not the only ones experiencing a baby boom. A record 21 humpback whale calves accompanied their mothers to the Salish Sea last year, nearly doubling 2020’s count of 11. The PWWA documented humpback whales on 301 days of 2021. By now, most local humpbacks have made the journey south to breeding grounds in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America, but a few still remain in the area.

In September, Seattle-based research organization SR3 reported three pregnancies within the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. No new calves have been observed yet, but the youngest Southern Resident calf, L125 “Element”, estimated at one year old, was seen in late December by Center for Whale Research and appeared to be doing well.

"Big picture, 2021 was an exciting and encouraging year for whales in the Salish Sea. We look forward to what 2022 may bring," Gless added.

PROTECTING AREA WHALES

With more whales in the area than in recent history, PWWA operators undertook and documented 880 “sentinel actions” during their 2021 ecotours. Examples of sentinel actions include:

Stopping speeding vessels
Alerting ferries and cargo ships of whales in the vicinity
Removing harmful marine debris like balloons and derelict fishing gear
Educating boaters on proper viewing distances

The PWWA reports that their vessels were able to positively change the behavior of other boats around whales in at least 70% of interventions, resulting in a safer environment for the whales.