Date: 22-July-18

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 51

Enc Start Time: 13:50

Enc End Time: 15:29

Vessel: Mike 1

Observers: Mark Malleson, Hanna Malleson, Pierre Magnusson, Eva Magnusson

Pods or ecotype: J, K, L Pod

Location: North  east Swiftsure Bank

Begin Lat/Long: 48 31.8/124 49.0

End Lat/Long: 48 32.9/124 49.8

 

Encounter Summary:

We left Victoria Harbour at 0730 with plans on heading west at least as far as Port Renfrew.
The sea conditions were perfect for a whale survey as it was flat calm with a slight swell starting once we were past Sheringham Point.
The first sighting was an eastbound humpback whale we came south of Jordan River (48 22.5/123 59.9).

 

We arrived at the dock at Port Renfrew at 1145 and went for lunch. We departed at 1245 and continued west towards Swiftsure Bank. When we were approaching the northeast corner of Swiftsure Bank we started to see many humpback whales scattered. At 1350 we spotted killer whales (4831.8/124 49.0). The first one we identified was K25 and then we could see that there were a fair number of them scattered amongst the humpbacks. They all seemed to be foraging. There were a lot of seabirds throughout the area which included Northern Fulmers and Sooty Shearwaters.
At 1457 we saw L88 chase and successfully catch a fish (48 32.9/124 49.8). We witnessed a seemed feeding frenzy with the seabirds, humpbacks and members of J, K, and L pods. We ended the encounter at 1529 and ventured east for the long trip home.