Understanding Responsible Whale Watching - A Brief History
Shrouded in mystery for millennia, the creatures of the deep have both mystified and captivated the imagination of humankind. Up until the late 1960's and the early 1970's, viewing of marine mammals was restricted to ferry travelers, private boat owners, public Aquaria, or zoos. The capturing of whales in BC waters during the 1970's was a common practice and the demand for captured mammals (whales, otters, seals, etc.) was a prosperous business on the West Coast. Being the most naturally playful and intelligent whale, the orca (or killer whale) was the most desired mammal for large public aquatic venues.
In the mid-1980's, pressure from scientists, animal rights activists, and the general public (partially a direct result of Hollywood-style depictions of whales in captivity) turned what was widely perceived as acceptable 'training' of these highly intelligent creatures, at times under questionable circumstances, into strong apathy for them. Aquaria closed, or at least limited their orca exhibits, and a successful awareness and re-education program based on the natural wonder of these whales took on a dramatic new focus.
The local whale watching industry grew out of mutual desire, both by the scientific community and the public, to study and observe sea life as they truly exist; at peace and in their natural environment. Such demand has resulted in one of the most comprehensive, co-operative studies of whale movements and behaviours to date in southern BC and northwestern Washington State.
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Recent Sightings
July 2. 2009: Great morning trip! We were only a few miles from the harbour when we encountered a minke whale. We stayed with it for a few breaths and then carried on to the resident orca!! K and Lpods were very active when we got to them. Breaches, tail lobs, pec fin slaps and then porposing at great speeds towards Victoria. The sun is shining and the afternoon is most certainly going to be epic!
June 29. 2009: We spent the whole day with resident orcas! Some L's were close to home this morning while the rest of the pod, along with Kpod were spread out over Hein Bank; multiple breaches, tail lobs, pec slaps were in order on this sunny day!!!
June 27. 2009: Jpod all day today... beautiful on the water! Jpod came down Rosario Strait this morning and were around for the day!!!
Current Weather
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