Date: 13-Sep-18

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 76

Enc Start Time: 12:40

Enc End Time: 16:25

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Astrid van Ginneken, Stewart MacIntyre, Kathy Babiak

Pods or ecotype: J,K,L

Location: Juan de Fuca Strait and Haro Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 16.57/123 26.13

End Lat/Long: 48 28.42/123 05.35

 

Encounter Summary:

We were again working in the CWR office when we got the word that K pod and others were heading east near Race Rocks. We all grabbed our gear, headed for the boat, and left Snug Harbor at 1125. We arrived on scene near the VG buoy southeast of Race Rocks at 1240 after slogging through some lumpy seas. The whales were spread out in groups and singles heading east. The first groups we saw were J and K pod whales all mixed up. A little later we would see groups and individuals that would include the L4, L47, and L72 matrilines of L pod plus L90. All the groups and individuals headed east and eventually hit the west side of SJI around 1545. Here, they dissipated even more with some whales foraging to the south and a few others foraging along the shoreline near Hannah Heights who were pointed north. We ended the encounter at 1625 off Pile Point.