EncDate:21/03/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:22

ObservBegin:03:16 PM

ObservEnd:04:53 PM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:Race Passage

Start Latitude:48 18.47

Start Longitude:123 31.84

End Latitude:48 18.71

End Longitude:123 28.82

 

EncSummary:

After having located a group of Bigg’s killer whales out west on his morning whale watching tour, Mark, on his way into the harbour, notified Brendon to ready the boat and prepare for departure. At 1440, they set off towards Race Rocks to search for the inbound whales, while also on the lookout for a lone male who had been reported south west bound along Victoria’s waterfront. 

Upon the arrival of the Mike 1 team at the eastern edge of Race Passage, multiple blows were observed to the west. The encounter officially commenced at 1516 with a group of six whales, identified as the T036As, who were proceeding eastbound towards Constance Bank against the ebb. Shortly after the team arrived, the whales stalled out and a brief moment of socialization ensued, during which time T036A1A spyhopped. 

The whales proceeded eastward at a leisurely pace, exhibiting variable down times ranging from 4 ½ to 9 minutes. As the whales ventured approximately 0.8 nautical miles east of Race Rocks, their movements became more erratic, marked by frequent directional changes towards the south and then westward again, suggesting that they may have been investigating potential prey sources. However, after brief intervals, they resumed their eastward trajectory. Notably, the two youngest members of the group – T036A5 & T036A1A – were observed frequently swimming upside-down and along their sides throughout the encounter, further indicating a lack of urgency while battling against the tide.

The encounter was concluded at 1643 as the whales passed by a bait ball and turned slightly to the southeast. En route back to Victoria, the team remained vigilant for the lone bull reported earlier in the day, but were unsuccessful in acquiring any visual.