EncDate:11/04/24 

EncSeq:2

Enc#:36

ObservBegin:04:23 PM

ObservEnd:05:24 PM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:north east of Port Angeles

Start Latitude:48 14.63

Start Longitude:123 15.12

End Latitude:48 13.71

End Longitude:123 19.76

 

EncSummary:

After concluding an encounter at 1604 with the T100s (minus T100E), who were on approach to Trial Island (see encounter #35), Mark and Brendon worked their way south towards a group of killer whales who had been located earlier in the day. 

Shortly after at 1623, the large and unmistakable dorsal fin of T087 appeared a mile ahead moving westward. Mark slowed the vessel and eased forward to parallel the bull’s right-side in order to make the most of the lighting conditions. As the team focused on T087, who was travelling at a leisurely pace, additional dorsal fins began to emerge, spreading out to the south of their position. Mark and Brendon managed to snap some left-side photographs of the bull before bidding farewell to him at 1645 to proceed to confirm the rest of the group.

The overall pace of these whales was notably slower compared to the T100s, averaging around 4.5 knots. Brendon identified the first two whales as T099B and T124D1, followed by a pair shadowing them identified as T124D & T124D3. To the south, Mark spotted four more whales later identified as the remaining members of the T099s. In total, along with T087, they counted nine Bigg’s killer whales. All whales maintained a westbound trajectory, with consistent dive times of 3-4 minutes, followed by an average of 4 surfacings.

Once all individuals were photographed the Mike 1 crew wrapped up their encounter at 1724, ~ 6 nm north north east of Port Angeles, setting course for Victoria to the north.