Date: 11-September-17

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 80

Enc Start Time: 18:01

Enc End Time: 18:34

Vessel: Mike 1

Observers: Mark Malleson, Dan McSweeney

Pods or ecotype: Transients/Bigg's

Location: Strait Juan de Fuca (south of Otter Point)

Begin Lat/Long: 48 16.2/123 50.6

End Lat/Long: 48 16.0/1234 48.2

 

Encounter Summary:

Dan McSweeney and I left T049C, T068 and T068A south of Race Rocks and then followed up a report of more killer whales coming in from Sheringham mid strait. We slogged our way west as the seas were 3 - 4 feet as a south west had built against the outgoing ebb current. We decided to keep going as the whales were reported traveling 8 knots and coming towards us. Forever Wild was the only boat on scene and waited for us to arrive.
We could see 5 or 6 whales, all females and juveniles, spread out and surfing down wind. We confirmed it was the T046B's. Within a few minutes of arriving I noticed one of the animals chasing a harbour porpoise back up wind. It appeared that there were at least 2, maybe 3 harbour porpoise being pursued by the group for over 10 minutes before one was obviously struck.
We saw blood oozing out of its side after the initial strike and it swam towards the boat. It had a couple bites out of it and was fairly raked up.
The group pursued it for another 8 minutes before finally eating it. We departed scene and made our way to rendezvous with Ken and Greg at the anchorage in Becher Bay.

Notes-Comments: