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EncDate: 26/07/24
EncSeq: 1
Enc#*: 75
ObservBegin: 10:54 AM
ObservEnd: 02:15 PM
Vessel: KCB III
Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss
Other Observers: Alondra Caro Ruiz, Rachel John, Charli Grimes
Pods: J
LocationDescr: Haro Strait
Start Latitude: 48 30.57
Start Longitude: 123 10.16
End Latitude: 48 26.71
End Longitude: 123 03.50

EncSummary:

There were reports of J pod heading south down the west side of San Juan Island around 9:30. The team met at Snug and got off the dock at 10:35. Before too long, they found whales spread out offshore of Landbank at 10:54.

The first two whales they team encountered were J44 and J38, both foraging but separated by a few hundred yards. The team launched the drone and watched the two of them forage. J38 was clearly pursuing fish under the surface, but too deep to see with the drone. J44, however, chased a large salmon at the surface and successfully caught it. We eventually also saw J38 with fish parts in his mouth, so we know he was at least somewhat successful in his hunts.

These two whales were soon joined by J44's younger sister, J53, who joined in the foraging. She was eventually successful in catching a fish, which she promptly shared half of with J44. After sharing food, the two siblings took some time to socialize before returning to foraging.

After a few flights with these whales, the team moved on to a group they had spotted further down island. They found the J37s travelling with the J31s and J40, split into two groups. These whales mostly socialized as they moved down island and offshore.

The team then headed inshore, finding another group of whales: J46, J42, and J35. These whales were also busy socializing. J35 split off from the other two females to join her two sons, J57 and J47. J47 approached the other two with a fish already in his mouth. However, the fish was still alive, and he released it, seemingly on purpose. He, his younger brother, and his mom then started chasing the dazed fish. J47 actually grabbed it again, once again letting it go. The fish got some distance and tried to dive, but J35 followed and finally caught it for good. She broke the fish up, sharing with her two sons.

The J35s met back up with J42 and J46, and started kelping and socializing. The team stayed with them until 14:13 before batteries began to wear down and they had to end the encounter.

Photos taken under Federal Permits

NMFS PERMIT: 27038/DFO SARA 388