Understanding Responsible Whale Watching - The Future
If the future of the whales in the Pacific Northwest is going to be guaranteed (and the same general theory applies to all the major marine eco-systems of the world), it is essential that the human practices of the past and potentially those of the future, be carefully examined and the difficult lessons learned thoroughly. The efforts of researchers and the whale watching community must be clearly understood if the survival of these 'southern resident' killer whales is to be ensured.
From the perspective of the whale watching industry in their self-appointed role of 'shepherds' to the whales, they have helped to educate thousands of people about the importance of awareness both of the whale's environment, and about their own vital role in protecting our world's most valuable of resources. Continuing the enlightenment of the huge impact on, and importance of, the mysterious world of "inner space" to humans, whale populations are recovering slowly. With the birth of at least two new calves in 2002 to resident L-pod, another in K-pod, and the successful human intervention reunite "Springer" to her northern resident A-pod, it would appear that the whales are recognizing this effort as well. With a tail slap "wave" and an orca-style squeal of "thanks" for a job well done, whales are sending a new message to humans. This time around, however, it is one worth mutual respect and love.
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Recent Sightings
December 21. 2011: Big news! It's been kept quiet to make sure all parties confirmed, but NOAA's NW Fisheries Science Center and the Center for Whale Research have confirmed that on December 17, 39-year old J16 (Slick) gave birth to a new baby calf in Puget Sound, probably only a few hours judging from the fresh fetal folds, before being seen and photographed. This makes J16's fifth calf since her first, J26, was born in 1991. She was the sixteenth J pod orca photographed and identified by Mike Bigg in 1972, and is among the oldest whose age is known exactly. Her matriline is known as the J7's after J16's late mother. Ths is great news for the holiday season!
December 5. 2011: The Christmas Season is here and so are the whales! There have been recent reports of orca whales (transient and resident) near Victoria!
It is not as busy this time of year, so we haven't had a trip out for a few weeks but we are here and ready to go when you are!
We have 1:00pm departures scheduled each day that are subject to weather and enough passengers interested in going out. Reservations are required. Call today for more information.
October 15. 2011: Incredible to think that it's already October... Saturday was sunny and calm. The morning boat came across Transient killer whales just South of Race Rocks and followed them West. Our afternoon encounter was quite lucky as we came across the T18s only minutes after leaving the harbour at Trial Island. We followed them to Discovery Island and then went to spend some time with Split fin, aka Bart, by Beaumont Shoal. This particular humpback seems to enjoy tail lobbing!!
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