EncDate:13/04/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#*:37

ObservBegin:12:15 PM

ObservEnd:01:13 PM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:Brinn Rock, Discovery Island

Start Latitude:48 25.69

Start Longitude:123 12.77

End Latitude:48 27.29

End Longitude:123 14.93

 

EncSummary:

As Mark conversed with Brendon over the phone, he trained his binoculars towards the southeast from his front window, where whales had been spotted gradually making their way towards Discovery Island. Though he managed to catch a glimpse of a fin or two in the distance, the whales soon veered around the southeastern edge of the Chain Islands, disappearing from his view. In the midst of their conversation, a second report chimed in, detailing that another group of whales was approaching Race Rocks from the west, so the decision was made to rendezvous with Brendon at the boat and aim to depart the dock shortly after 1130. They chose to head east first towards the group of whales near Discovery Island before planning to conduct a search for the western whales on their return journey to Victoria.

By 1215, Mark's keen eyes spotted the first dorsal fin, approximately half a nautical mile northeast of their current position off Seabird Point. Among the whales – and first to be photographed – was the distinctive T086A3, accompanied by her first calf, T086A3A. Together, they were travelling with the three members of the T071Bs. This marked a total count of five whales, all of which were moving in a tight-knit group. The backdrop of eastern Haro Strait was adorned with the colourful sails of a sailing race, which added to the scene. 

Based on the timeline of their travels and the behaviour as Mike 1 began the encounter, it appeared that they had just finished a meal. Despite the 2-knot ebb pushing against them, the whales persisted on a northward trajectory albeit at a more leisurely pace of 3-knots. It was noted that throughout the encounter dive times averaged 3-4 minutes. Lighting conditions were opportune for both lefts and rights, so the team quickly worked to collect updated photographs of the five animals. 

As the whales continued to move northwest towards Ten Mile Point and the afternoon sun reaching its peak above, Mark and Brendon called the encounter to a close at 1313.