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EncDate:23/06/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:57

ObservBegin:11:22 AM

ObservEnd:11:50 AM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:J, K

LocationDescr:Beaumont Shoals

Start Latitude:48 26.33

Start Longitude:123 10.79

End Latitude:48 27.24

End Longitude:123 09.66

EncSummary:

The day started with an early report of a large group of whales moving west along Dallas Road, Victoria. By 1000, Brendon contacted Mark to relay that he was seeing most of L pod from the shoreline, with the exception of the L54s. Following this sighting, Mark and Brendon promptly convened at Oak Bay Marina to prepare Mike 1 for departure. As they were navigating their course into a strong ebb while exiting the harbor, they received a report from Joe indicating that J pod and K pod had been spotted off Seabird Point, Discovery Island. Given their proximity to the location of these whales, Mark and Brendon altered course so as to document Js and Ks in better conditions.

At 1122, many tightly-knit whales surfaced together several hundred metres ahead of Mike 1 along Beaumont Shoals, heading northeast. This group comprised the entirety of J pod, with all matrilines in a tight formation. The most southern subset of whales were the J17s - including sprouting males J44 and J47 - followed by the J19s at the northern end. The pod maintained a steady eastward course towards the western side of San Juan Island, with no observed social or predation behaviour.

At 1130, shortly after photographing the Js, all of K pod began to catch up to the leading whales. Mike 1 remained stationary as J pod continued ahead of them, opting to remain in place for K pod to pass in favourable lighting conditions. Similarly, K pod was also tightly grouped, with exceptions noted for K16 and K35, who were the most eastern whales leading the formation. Among the trailing whales were the K12s, with K37 notably observed sporting a new nick and superficial damage to his dorsal fin. 

With conditions rapidly improving due to the incoming flood tide, Mark and Brendon decided to wrap up the encounter at 1150 AM after a view of the K13s; their aim was to reach the westbound group of L pod whales before the opportunity slipped away.

Photos taken under Federal Permits

NMFS PERMIT: 27038/DFO SARA 388