Salish Sea Boaters Urged to Drive Safely, Look Out for Marine Life Over Long Holiday Weekend
Bigg’s killer whale T019C “Spouter” surfaces in the Juan de Fuca Strait. Photo: Mollie Naccarato, Sooke Coastal Explorations
As Whales Abound, Salish Sea Boaters Urged to Drive Safely, Look Out for Marine Wildlife Over the Long Canada Day and Fourth of July Weekend
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC- July 1, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is urging Salish Sea boaters to be on the lookout for whales in advance of the Canada Day and Fourth of July long weekend. Throughout recent weeks, the PWWA has reported large numbers of Bigg’s killer whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and gray whales across wide areas of the Salish Sea. Members of the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population have also been reported in the area in the last week. With so many whales spread across the region, encounters with recreational boaters are becoming more common.
High temperatures last weekend lured boaters to the water, but according to the PWWA, many seemed unaware of whales in the area or of how to operate responsibly around them.
“There are whales just about everywhere right now, which is great, but last weekend alone our PWWA operators documented 50 sentinel actions, or protective interventions involving other boaters,” said Erin Gless, the association’s executive director. “Some were proactive, such as hailing ferries or cargo ships to warn of whales along their route, but most were reactive interventions involving boaters traveling too fast or too close to whales. We definitely witnessed some close calls.”
Regulations for boating around whales differ slightly between British Columbia and Washington state.
In British Columbia, boaters are reminded to stay at least:
● 100 metres from most whales, such as humpbacks, gray whales, and minke whales
● 200 metres from most whales if they appear to be resting or have a calf
● 400 metres from all killer whales from Campbell River to Ucluelet
Professional whale watch vessels flying a purple “authorized vessel” flag may view Bigg’s killer whales from 200 metres under Canada’s Sustainable Whale Watch Agreement
In Washington, boaters are reminded to stay at least:
● 100 yards from most whales, such as humpbacks, gray whales, and minke whales
● 200 yards from Bigg’s killer whales
● 300 yards from endangered Southern Resident killer whales
There is also a mandatory 7-knot speed limit in Washington for vessels within ½ nautical mile (1,013 yards) of endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
The Whale Warning Flag is flown when whales are within 1 kilometer. Photo: Island Adventures Whale Watching
Boaters throughout the Salish Sea are encouraged to look for vessels flying the brightly-colored Whale Warning Flag which indicates that whales are in the immediate area.
Violations of boating regulations near whales should be reported to:
● Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Observe, Record, and Report Hotline: 1-800-465-4336
● Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s WILDCOMM Hotline: 360-902-2936
A breaching Bigg’s killer whale. Photo: Sara Jenkins, Wild Whales Vancouver
Humpback whale BCY1000 “Hydra”. Photo: Ellie Sawyer, Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching
First Salish Sea Humpback Calf of 2022 Spotted, Just in Time for Mother’s Day
Big Mama (left) and her 7th calf (right). Photo: Bethany Shimasaki, Western Prince Whale Watching
First Salish Sea Humpback Calf of 2022 Spotted, Just in Time for Mother’s Day
Iconic Humpback “Big Mama” Swims 3,000 Miles Back from Hawaii with 7th Calf in Tow
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - May 4, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) today announced that the first humpback whale calf of the 2022 season has arrived in the Salish Sea, just in time for the upcoming Mother’s Day weekend. Fittingly, the calf belongs to the most famous Salish Sea humpback mother of all, BCY0324, known as “Big Mama.”
On Monday afternoon, naturalist Bethany Shimasaki of Western Prince Whale Watching reported a humpback whale and calf in Boundary Pass near the US/Canadian border. The mother humpback did not immediately show her tail, the feature typically used for identifying humpback whale individuals, but images revealed Big Mama’s signature – a small bump on the right side of her dorsal fin. The match has since been confirmed by BC-based researcher Tasli Shaw of the Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea project.
“When the news traveled over the radio, there was instant celebration,” said PWWA’s executive director, Erin Gless. “Big Mama was one of the first humpback whales to repopulate the Salish Sea after the whaling era and has been feeding here regularly since 1997. We always look forward to her return, but even more so when she brings a calf with her.”
3,000 MILE SWIM FOR MOM AND CALF
Big Mama’s latest calf was not entirely a surprise, according to Gless. In February, Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures of Lahaina, Hawaii reported seeing Big Mama with a newborn. The crew shared their sighting to Happywhale.com, a site that connects researchers, whale watching naturalists, and citizen scientists around the world, and alerted the PWWA of the news.
Crossing the Pacific with a calf can be fraught with threats in the form of fishing gear, commercial shipping traffic, and killer whales, but Big Mama is a seasoned pro. She has given birth to at least six prior calves in her lifetime. Her last calf, “Pop-Tart” was born in 2016 and named for his or her fondness of playfully popping up out of the water. Big Mama’s seventh calf seems to share that energetic spirit. The little one was seen breaching, cartwheeling, and splashing throughout the day.
In the coming weeks, more and more humpbacks will return to the Salish Sea from their breeding grounds in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America. Humpback whales typically remain in the region throughout the spring, summer, and fall while they feed on krill and small fish. Last year, a record 21 humpback whale calves were sighted throughout the Salish Sea.
Big Mama’s 7th calf playing on its back. Photo: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours
Big Mama’s 7th calf playing on its side. Photo: April Ryan, Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching
Big Mama and her tiny calf. Photo: Mark Malleson, Prince of Whales
70+ Bigg's Killer Whales Seen in Salish Sea Thursday, New Single-Day Record
No April Foolin’ - More Than 70 Bigg’s Orcas Seen Throughout Salish Sea on Thursday
Whale Watchers Report New Single-Day Bigg’s Killer Whale Record
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - April 1, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) announced that whale watchers in Washington and southern British Columbia documented at least 72 Bigg’s killer whales Thursday, a new single-day record. “The number might sound unbelievable,” says PWWA executive director Erin Gless, “but it’s no April Fools’ joke.”
Over the course of the day, ten distinct groups of Bigg’s killer whales were reported throughout the Salish Sea, ranging as far south as Hood Canal in Washington’s Puget Sound, and as far north as Vancouver Island’s Campbell River region in British Columbia. The largest group, spotted by PWWA operators near the northern San Juan Islands, contained 19 killer whales in total. “We were watching a group of four whales when, out of nowhere, 15 more materialized,” shares naturalist Sam Murphy of Island Adventures Whale Watching in Anacortes, WA. “It was magical.”
“This was an awesome community effort with watchers from Campbell River to Puget Sound contributing sightings and photos”, says Monika Wieland Shields, director of Orca Behavior Institute on San Juan Island. “We wonder how long this increase in Bigg’s killer whales will continue, but they keep setting records. More than 70 in the region in one day is astounding.”
Mark Malleson, researcher for the Center for Whale Research and long-time guide for Prince of Whales in Victoria, BC, confirmed the number as a new Salish Sea record. “There have been days in the last decade with around 50 different Bigg’s killer whales reported, maybe 60,” said Malleson, “but Thursday was certainly the most so far.”
One of the most recognizable individuals spotted Thursday was T63 “Chainsaw”, an adult male killer whale born in 1978. Known for his jagged dorsal fin, he and his mom, T65 “Whidbey” were seen near the US-Canada border in Haro Strait. Unlike endangered Southern Resident killer whales who feed on salmon, Bigg’s killer whales like Chainsaw hunt marine mammals and are thriving thanks to an abundance of seals and sea lions in the region.
Bigg’s killer whale brothers T101A “Rush” and T101B “Lagoon”. Photo: Ellie Sawyer, Maya’s Legacy, PWWA
T63 “Chainsaw”. Photo: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA
Bigg’s killer whale hunting. Photo: Sam Murphy, Island Adventures, PWWA
T63 “Chainsaw”. Photo: Valerie Messier, Prince of Whales, PWWA
T137A “Jack” swims through Active Pass. Photo: Rachelle Hayden, Salish Sea Orca Squad
PWWA's 2021 Sightings & Sentinel Actions Report Released
Pacific Whale Watch Association Releases Comprehensive 2021 Summary Report
New Report Reflects 13,000+ Wildlife Sightings, Nearly 900 Protective Sentinel Actions in Salish Sea
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - March 8, 2022 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) has just released the organization’s 2021 Sightings & Sentinel Actions Report. The 29-page report was generated using data from the PWWA App, a private app utilized by PWWA captains, naturalists, crew during whale and wildlife tours.
Last year, more than 13,000 reports of whales and other wildlife were entered in the PWWA App. Bigg’s killer whales were the whales most frequently documented by PWWA App users, with 5,575 entries spanning 304 days of 2021. Humpback whales were the second most frequently reported cetaceans, reported on 301 days, followed by gray whales on 146 days and minke whales on 145 days. Salmon-eating resident killer whales were documented least frequently, with Southern Resident killer whales reported by PWWA App users on 99 days and Northern Resident killer whales reported on 53 days.
In addition to whale sightings, PWWA members documented nearly 900 “sentinel actions” in 2021. A sentinel action is defined by the PWWA as an action taken by professional whale watchers during a tour to protect or benefit whales and other wildlife. Samples of sentinel actions performed by the PWWA in 2021 include:
Stopping other vessels from speeding near whales
Proactively warning vessels of whales nearby
Removing harmful debris from the water
Reporting sick or entangled animals to proper authorities
Of 874 sentinel actions documented in 2021, 753 (86%) involved directly contacting other vessels. The PWWA was successful in slowing, stopping, or diverting nearby vessels in the presence of whales in at least 70% of sentinel actions, resulting in quieter and safer conditions. In most cases, PWWA operators were the only vessels available to alert other boats to the presence of whales and influence their operating behavior.
The complete PWWA 2021 Sightings & Sentinel Actions Report can be accessed here.
2021 Was a Banner Year for Whales in Salish Sea
New Bigg’s orca calf T124A7. Photo: Karac Lindsay, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA
2021 Was a Banner Year for Whales in Salish Sea
New Data Show Record Number of Sightings; Baby Boom Continues for Bigg’s Orcas,
Humpback Whales
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - January 11, 2022 - 2021 was a challenging year for many, but for whale lovers on the Salish Sea, it was one of the best years yet, according to year-end data just compiled by the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) and local researchers.
According to the PWWA, which operates year-round whale watching tours in Washington and British Columbia, Bigg’s killer whales were the most frequently documented whales in the region last year, followed by humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales. Endangered Southern Resident killer whales were encountered least often. Their declining presence in the Salish Sea has been correlated to a decrease in Fraser River Chinook, according to PWWA naturalists. Many tours viewed more than one whale species during their trips and on Mother’s Day, multiple companies reported “Grand Slams” spotting orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, and gray whales in a single tour. PWWA vessels also administered nearly 900 protective interventions, or ‘sentinel actions,’ in the Salish Sea during 2021, detailed further below.
Monika Wieland Shields, director of Orca Behavior Institute on San Juan Island, confirmed a record-breaking presence of Bigg’s killer whales in 2021. Based on reports from professional whale watchers, regional sightings groups, and shore-based observers, Bigg’s killer whales were documented in the Salish Sea during 1,067 unique sightings across 329 days. The previous record, set in 2019, was 747 unique sightings. In contrast, salmon-eating Southern Resident killer whales were documented on just 103 days, or 28% of the year.
“It has been incredible to witness the continued rise of Bigg’s killer whales in the Salish Sea,” said Shields. “In 2021, there were days when we documented 10 different groups of Bigg’s throughout the region totaling more than 50 whales.
The Bigg’s killer whale population, which feeds on marine mammals like seals and sea lions, is growing at more than 4% per year according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 11 new Bigg’s calves were born in 2021 including the most recent, T124A7, who was spotted by PWWA member companies near Victoria on New Year’s Eve. The number 7 at the end of the calf’s ID number indicates it is the seventh baby born to 37-year old mother T124A, “Kittiwake”.
“It’s crazy to think that whales like Kittiwake have given birth to so many babies given that the gestation period for orcas is 16-18 months - almost twice that of a human”, says Erin Gless, executive director of the PWWA. “The calf looked great and at one point adorably seemed to take a turn leading the family.”
Breaching humpback whale. Photo: Simon Pidcock, Ocean Ecoventures, PWWA
Bigg’s killer whales are not the only ones experiencing a baby boom. A record 21 humpback whale calves accompanied their mothers to the Salish Sea last year, nearly doubling 2020’s count of 11. The PWWA documented humpback whales on 301 days of 2021. By now, most local humpbacks have made the journey south to breeding grounds in Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America, but a few still remain in the area.
In September, Seattle-based research organization SR3 reported three pregnancies within the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population. No new calves have been observed yet, but the youngest Southern Resident calf, L125 “Element”, estimated at one year old, was seen in late December by Center for Whale Research and appeared to be doing well.
"Big picture, 2021 was an exciting and encouraging year for whales in the Salish Sea. We look forward to what 2022 may bring," Gless added.
PROTECTING AREA WHALES
With more whales in the area than in recent history, PWWA operators undertook and documented 880 “sentinel actions” during their 2021 ecotours. Examples of sentinel actions include:
Stopping speeding vessels
Alerting ferries and cargo ships of whales in the vicinity
Removing harmful marine debris like balloons and derelict fishing gear
Educating boaters on proper viewing distances
The PWWA reports that their vessels were able to positively change the behavior of other boats around whales in at least 70% of interventions, resulting in a safer environment for the whales.
Feeding minke whale. Photo: Tyson Reed, Island Adventures Whale Watching, PWWA
Tail of gray whale #723 Lucyfer. Photo: Justine Buckmaster, Puget Sound Express, PWWA
2021 Sets Record for Number of Humpback Whale Calves in Salish Sea
Slate and her son, Malachite, taken in May 2021. Photo: Sara Hysong-Shimazu, Maya’s Legacy, PWWA
2021 Sets Record for Number of Humpback Whale Calves in Salish Sea
Naturalists Report More Than 20 New Humpbacks Photographed This Season
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - October 22, 2021 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) today reported that a record number of calves have been photographed in the Salish Sea this season. Specifically, 21 calves have been documented by whale watchers and researchers throughout inland Washington and British Columbia. According to Mark Malleson of Center for Whale Research, that is the highest annual number on record so far for the region, and is nearly twice as many as were reported in 2020, when 11 calves were documented.
Fall brings the peak of humpback whale activity as the whales seize their last feeding opportunities before traveling south for winter. An adult humpback whale can eat roughly 2,000 pounds (900 kg) of fish and krill each day. In the coming months, Salish Sea humpback whales will swim to breeding grounds near Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America to give birth and mate, returning in late spring.
“2021 has been a banner year for female humpbacks coming into the Salish Sea with new calves,” says Wendi Robinson, naturalist with Puget Sound Express, based in Port Townsend and Edmonds, WA. “Calves only travel with mom for a year or so and then they’re on their own. Once they’re familiar with our waters, they will often return year after year to feed.”
One mom and calf duo, BCX1068 “Split Fluke” and her newest calf, a female, recently delighted onlookers near the US/Canada border south of Victoria. “The calf started things off with a few tail slaps, which mom then joined in on,” says Val Shore, a naturalist with Eagle Wing Tours in Victoria, BC. It’s believed tail-slapping is a way humpback whales communicate with each other. Split Fluke, born in 2006 to mom BCY0160 “Heather”, has been matched through photographs to Mexican breeding grounds in winter. This year’s calf, not yet named, is Split Fluke’s third, and represents a third generation of Salish Sea humpback whales.
Another pair have an extra special story. This past March, Sam Murphy, a naturalist for Anacortes-based Island Adventures Whale Watching since 2017, was doing seasonal work 3,000 miles away in Hawaii when she spotted a humpback whale with a youngster in tow. In a remarkable coincidence, Sam was able to identify the whale as MMY0183 “Dreamer”, a female humpback that has been photographed in recent years feeding near Victoria and the Canadian Gulf Islands during the summer.
“Our community was excited to receive the March report from Hawaii,” says Erin Gless, Executive Director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, “and we’re thrilled to say that both mom and baby have arrived safely in the Salish Sea.” Dreamer and her young calf were seen earlier this week by PWWA naturalists in the Strait of Georgia.
As to the cause of this year’s baby boom, Gless can only speculate. “We’re not sure why there were so many calves this year,” she says. “It’s possible the last two years had an abundance of food for the whales, or it could be as simple as the fact that as the number of adult whales in the population grows, so too does the number of calves we can expect to see each year.”
Humpback whale Divot and son feeding. Photo: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA
Humpback whale calf breaching. Photo: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA
Humpback whale Dreamer and newborn calf near Kona, Hawaii in March 2021. Photo: Sam Murphy, Hawaiian Adventures Kona
Dreamer and calf in the Strait of Georgia in Fall 2021. Photo: Tasli Shaw, Ocean Ecoventures, PWWA
Zig Zag and calf. Photo: Ashley Keegan, Wild Whales Vancouver, PWWA
Nearly 30 Bigg’s Killer Whales Spotted Locally Over Labor Day Weekend
T37A “Volker”, mom of five, breaches. Photo: Bart Rulon, Puget Sound Express, PWWA
Nearly 30 Bigg’s Killer Whales Spotted Locally Over Labor Day Weekend
New Yearly Sightings Record Set in 2021
SEATTLE, WA & VICTORIA, BC - September 8, 2021 - The Pacific Whale Watch Association reported seeing nearly different 30 Bigg’s killer whales over the Labor Day holiday weekend in the Salish Sea, the body of water that includes the Puget Sound, Strait of Georgia, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the San Juan Islands. This coincides with local research organization Orca Behavior Institute (OBI) recently announcing some good news about Bigg’s killer whales in the area.
According to OBI’s Director, Monika Wieland Shields, Bigg’s have set a new sightings record in the region, with 793 unique sightings of Bigg’s killer whales as of Monday, and more than four months still remaining in 2021. The previous record of 747 unique sightings was set in 2019. A “sighting” is a report of a unique group of whales on a given day. Meanwhile, Shields also states more than 70 different Bigg’s killer whales were documented just last month in the Salish Sea. Killer whales are identified using markings on their dorsal fins and backs.
Captain Paul Pudwell of Sooke Coastal Explorations, based in Sooke, BC, came across seven different families of Bigg’s killer whales on a single 3-hour trip on Saturday. “I’ve never seen so many Bigg’s at once”, says Pudwell. “It was a special day.”
Unlike endangered Southern Resident killer whales that feed primarily on declining populations of Chinook salmon, Bigg’s killer whales hunt seals, sea lions, and porpoises. An abundance of food has led to the births of more than 130 calves over the last decade, a population growth rate of more than 4% per year. Naturalist Bart Rulon of Port Townsend and Edmonds-based Puget Sound Express had a memorable encounter with one Bigg's family known as the T37A’s. At the age of 27, matriarch T37A “Volker” has given birth to five babies since 2007. Rulon and passengers saw Volker breach completely out of the water multiple times.
Once referred to as transient killer whales, the whale watching and research communities have transitioned toward labeling them Bigg’s killer whales after orca research pioneer Dr. Michael Bigg. Bigg’s killer whales are now one of the primary types of whales seen by local whale watchers. With an almost daily presence, the name “transient” no longer seems fitting. Conversely, due to dwindling salmon returns, Southern Resident killer whales have been largely absent in 2021, seen just a handful of days since April.
“The contrast in health between these two orca populations is striking,” says Erin Gless, Executive Director of the Pacific Whale Watch Association. “Bigg’s prove that killer whales can thrive in this region, so long as there is food. If we can restore local salmon populations, we have hope that Southern Residents can recover. The priority has to be getting them more food.”
Recently, a young member of the salmon-eating Southern Resident population, J56 “Tofino”, was observed by scientists with the research group SR3 in poor health. As a result, J56 was deemed “vulnerable” by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife meaning licensed whale watching companies may not approach within 1/2 nautical mile of J56 if she is seen in the area. The PWWA is urging all boaters on the Salish Sea to follow these professional regulations.
Southern Residents belonging to J Pod were reported in Puget Sound on Tuesday. Bigg’s killer whales were also spotted in Puget Sound Tuesday as well as near Victoria and the San Juan Islands.
A Bigg’s killer whale defies gravity near Victoria. Photo: Paul Pudwell, Sooke Coastal Exploratiosns, PWWA
Bigg’s killer whales in the San Juan Islands. Photo: Nina Hall, Western Prince Whale Watching, PWWA
T19C “Spouter”. Photo: Melisa Pinnow, San Juan Excursions, PWWA
Regional Safety Advisory: Avoid Releasing Balloons
Humpback whale surfaces near a balloon: photo credit Val Shore/Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA
Photo courtesy of Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA
Photo courtesy of Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA
Photo courtesy of Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA
Balloons Pose Grave Dangers To Sea- and Land-based Wildlife
Nearly 100 Balloons Retrieved From Salish Sea in Past Week Alone
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA and VICTORIA, BC (June 30, 2021) – With both Canada Day and the July 4 holidays fast approaching, along with a continued cadence of graduations, birthday parties, anniversaries, and other occasions, the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) is urging residents on both sides of the Canada-US border to NOT release balloons for any celebration.
Balloons present hazardous and deadly consequences for wildlife throughout the region, including but not limited to whales, seals, porpoise, sea lions, otters, as well as birds and numerous other land-based animals.
To date, PWWA naturalists in British Columbia and Washington State have spotted and picked up hundreds of balloons this year – including a single string of 20 graduation party balloons – and are finding and retrieving more of the floating hazards than ever before. There is speculation within the whale watch community that following the past year and the challenges we all faced during COVID, people are spending more time outdoors and they inadvertently lose balloons during their outdoor activities or release balloons without anticipating where they will actually land.
This past week alone nearly 100 balloons were retrieved, and during two recent whale-watching tours naturalists aboard Victoria, BC-based Eagle Wing Whale Watching Tours spotted and picked up ten large mylar party balloons that could have easily been ingested by nearby humpback whales or other wildlife.
“While we understand the intentions are celebratory, we urge everyone to fully understand that releasing balloons—any type, anywhere, anytime—is environmentally destructive. And it’s incredibly dangerous to wildlife and to our overall environment,” said Valerie Shore, naturalist with Eagle Wing Tours. “This humpback whale could easily have been lunge-feeding and accidently scooped the balloon into its mouth. Humpback throats are not large—about the size of a grapefruit—so this balloon could have created huge problems for this whale or others nearby.”
In addition, with this week’s record-breaking heat and dryness, balloons can cause fires by becoming entangled with power lines, transformers, and other equipment that can spark fast-spreading fires. Untethered balloons cause dozens of outages every year and they can lead to serious injuries or damage to electrical equipment if they drift into power lines.
There are many viable alternatives to releasing balloons, including: planting trees or flowers in someone’s honor; flying kites, flags, banners, streamers, and dancing inflatables; or simply handing out ribbon dancers or displaying garden spinners.
‘Humpback Comeback’ Continues in 2021 as Whales Return to Salish Sea
Pop Tart, a sibling of Big Mama, lunge feeding at the surface. Nicknamed because he/she loves to "pop" out of the water and is known for lots of breaching ever since a baby. Pop Tart has a reputation for being mischievous.
Photo by April Ryan/Maya’s Legacy/PWWA
In Rare Event, Three Sibling Humpbacks Spotted Near One Another
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA and VICTORIA, BC (June 22, 2021) – Whale watchers are calling it a “Humpback Comeback” as hundreds of humpback whales now regularly return every year to the Salish Sea, including this year. Driven by the return of famed humpback whale “Big Mama,” as well as rare sightings of three of her calves in close proximity, 2021 has naturalists and researchers abuzz.
Since whale researchers first documented just a single humpback whale in 1997 the humpback whales that migrate each summer to feed in the nutrient-rich waters of the Salish Sea now number in the hundreds.
A pioneer and significant contributor to this population increase, Big Mama has given birth to six calves that have each returned to these inland waters at one time or another. Whale watchers reported seeing her traveling with her first calf in 2003. Big Mama has since had calves in 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. With so much breeding success, the nickname Big Mama has really stuck.
When Big Mama arrived in late April 2021, the whale watch community was extremely excited to see her return, as she often marks the beginning of the humpback whale watching season throughout the region. Dozens more humpbacks have arrived since then, and this past week, something happened that had the whale watch and research community abuzz.
THREE HUMPBACK SIBLINGS SIGHTED
Three calves of Big Mama were sighted feeding within a few hundred meters of each other in waters off Port Angeles, Washington last Saturday. Humpback whales are not known to have close family ties, leaving their mothers at less than a year old. The fact that three siblings were seen in such close proximity to each other has piqued the interest of humpback whale researchers. The three whales were identified by the whale watching community as Split Fin (2006), Tulip (2012), and Pop Tart (2016), her most recent calf.
“We arrived on scene to find three beautiful humpback whales actively lunge feeding in glass-calm conditions under the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains, just outside of Port Angeles,” said naturalist Samantha Murphy aboard the Island Explorer 5, based in Anacortes. “All three humpbacks were within close proximity to one another, but focused on foraging for bait-fish within separate current lines. As we visited each whale and started to gather ID photos, we were shocked and elated to realize that all three whales were siblings!”
“Not only did we get to witness the power and grace of these feeding giants,” added Murphy, “Pop Tart showed off how they earned their name by fully breaching right in front of us! To say it was a magical evening is an understatement. This trip will go down in the books for the 2021 whale watching season.”
BIG MAMA’S HISTORY IN THE REGION
To whale watching professionals, she is known as Big Mama; to passengers, she is a blow and a pair of flukes; and to the ecosystem, she’s a game-changer.
In 1997, Big Mama was sighted for the first time by Mark Malleson, a seasoned professional zodiac skipper with Prince of Whales Whale Watching in Victoria, BC. He didn’t know she was Big Mama at the time of course. She was simply one of the first humpback whales to be spotted in the Strait of Juan de Fuca in nearly 100 years.
When Mark’s friend, fellow whale watcher and photographer, Brian Glennon submitted a photo of the humpback to the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper, he was told they would not print it because they didn’t accept photoshopped photos. The photo of course,was unaltered, they just couldn’t believe that there was a humpback here. No one had ever heard of such a thing. Mark said “The very first humpback that I ever saw was Big Mama near Race Rocks in the fall of 1997. I saw her again in 1999 and then not again until 2003. She has not missed a year since then to return to these waters.”
In recent years over 500 individual Humpback whales have been documented and cataloged in the Salish Sea.
BIG MAMA’S OFFSPRING
Unnamed (b. 2003). Big Mama’s first known calf, and one of the first calves to return to the Salish Sea as a summer feeding ground.
Split Fin (b. 2006). (present Saturday, June 12) Presumed male since has never been seen with a calf. Nicknamed because he has a split down his dorsal fin likely from an injury. He has been matched to winter breeding grounds in Hawaii.
Canuck (b. 2010). Sadly presumed deceased after being entangled in 2011. Entanglement remains a significant threat to these beautiful, slow-moving leviathans.
Tulip (b. 2012). (present Saturday, June 12) Nicknamed for a mark on her tail that looks like a tulip. A known female, she gave birth to her first known calf last year which officially makes Big Mama a grandmother.
Beak (b. 2014). Not much known but still seen regularly in the Salish Sea.
Pop Tart (b. 2016).(present Saturday, June 12) Nicknamed because he/she loves to "pop" out of the water, and is known for lots of breaching ever since a baby. Has a reputation for being mischievous.
Whale Watchers Hit ‘Grand Slam’ Mother’s Day Weekend
Pacific Whale Watch Association Members Spot Four Whale Species On One Trip
Humpback mother “Slate” and her calf were seen on Mother’s Day as part of a “Grand Slam” of four whale species sighted on one whale watching trip.
Photo by Brooke McKinley/Outer Island Expeditions/PWWA
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA (May 11, 2021) – For professional whale watchers, hitting a “Grand Slam” is a rare treat that doesn’t happen often, but when it does it’s cause for celebration. A Grand Slam refers to sighting four species of whales during one whale watching adventure.
The Pacific Whale Watch Association announced that on Mother’s Day Sunday, at least two professional whale watching companies each hit a “Grand Slam,” sighting a minke and a gray whale in Rosario Strait, a humpback mom and calf near Waldron Island, and several Bigg’s killer whales in the area.
With the arrival of gray whales to the region in early Spring, an abundant population of Bigg’s killer whales throughout the area year-round, and humpback whales just starting to return from their winter migrations, the Salish Sea abounds with marine mammals this time of year.
“It doesn't happen often, but we had a Grand Slam whale watch today!” said Captain Matt Stolmeier of Outer Island Excursions. “A gray whale, minke whale, several matrilines of Bigg’s killer whales, and we wrapped it up with a perfect Mother's Day treat, a mom and calf humpback pair. It was a beautiful day on the water, and I even got to stop offshore at my parent’s house to wave and yell happy Mother’s Day to my mom.”
“This is my 15th season working on a whale watching boat and yesterday was only my 8th Grand Slam ever,” said Naturalist & photographer Brooke McKinley, “and we were elated to have BCX1210 ‘Slate’ and her new calf on Mother's Day. It was a glorious day, sunshine, flat calm waters and whales everywhere!”
In the past some whale watch companies have celebrated a Grand Slam by handing out trophies to the crew, while other crews take the plunge in the cold waters of the Salish Sea after their trip. Regardless of how individual whale watch companies celebrate a Grand Slam, the fact that there are so many whales to see this time of year in the Salish Sea is something to celebrate in and of itself.