Whales and dolphins have become regular visitors all along the inner waters of the Strait of Georgia and in front of Powell River over the past few years.
Pacific white-sided dolphins and transient orcas arrive in the most numbers. Humpback whales have recently returned and can be occasionally seen. The humpbacks are travelling south to their breeding grounds of Hawaii and Mexico. It’s mostly during the months of September into November that humpbacks pass by Powell River. In the spring, they head north to food-rich waters, but local sightings are not as frequent.
Humpbacks can grow up to 16 metres (52 feet) in length with the average around 12 metres (40 feet) for an adult. With pectoral flippers that are around four metres (16 feet) long, they can weigh up to 40,000 kilograms (88,000 pounds). The small dorsal fin gives them the hump appearance as they arch their back to dive down. It’s when they dive for longer time periods that their tail flukes are momentarily visible.
Throughout the winter, humpbacks do not eat while they are in their breeding grounds. They are there to mate and give birth. From spring through fall they gather in groups, as well as on their own, to feed on krill and small fish such as herring or pilchards. They have ventral pleats that allow their throats to expand to handle the large amount of water they take in with their food. They are baleen whales, pushing the water out past their baleen which acts like a sieve. The tiny shrimp-like krill or fish stay in their mouth and can be swallowed without excess water.
Every whale, dolphin or porpoise has unique identifiable markings. The underside of humpback tail flukes are used most frequently for identification purposes but even the hump and other nicks and marks can be useful. Maude, a the humpback recently seen around Texada Island and Myrtle Rocks, is officially known as BCY027. She has healed gouges on her right flank that look like a large shark bite, but her tail fluke markings are unmistakable.
Whales and Dolphins BC is a Powell River-based website with information on cetacean species, terminology and much more. Since 2010, sightings reports covering the Sunshine Coast to Johnstone Strait are compiled and published online. They can be viewed or subscribed to for free.
The public is asked to report sightings to assist with the continued monitoring and tracking of these great marine mammals. The information is used by researchers and for public awareness and education; not to mention it’s exciting to see the ocean visitors and to share the excitement.
Anyone who sees a whale, dolphin or porpoise, can report the sighting, even if perhaps someone has already reported it, or it is not possible to tell what species it might be, to [email protected] or by calling 604.485.9138. There is also an email link on the website. All sightings reports are very important.
Whales and Dolphins BC is looking for a few volunteers to assist with various projects such as mapping whale movements. On the website, there is a Support–Enter Draw page which has information on projects and how to enter to win a four-day cruise for two. Whales and Dolphins BC can also be found on Facebook at WhalesDolphinsBC.
