Date: 11-Jul-19

Sequence: 1

Encounter Number: 46

Enc Start Time: 11:30

Enc End Time: 14:20

Vessel: Orcinus

Observers: David Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Mia Reynolds

Pods or ecotype: Transients

Location: Haro Strait

Begin Lat/Long: 48 30.06/123 13.55

End Lat/Long: 48 36.32/123 13.36

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Encounter Summary:

Dave and Michael had heard reports of multiple groups of transients in the area, between Hein Bank and Beaumont Shoal. At 1105, Dave, Michael, and Mia left the harbor and headed southwest towards the closest group. They arrived on scene with the T77s at 1130, east of Baynes Channel. T77, T77C, T77D, and T77E were travelling in a tight group, taking five minute dives with periods of consistent surfacing. Subadult male T77B was separated from the rest of the group by about a half mile, but later joined up with the main group. The whales travelled north towards Kelp Reef, before slightly diverting east towards Henry Island. The team received reports that the southern group of transients was approaching Beaumont Shoal. At 1250, the team left the T77s off Kellett Bluff and headed back southeast. They arrived on scene with the second group a couple miles south of Kelp Reef at 1315. This group turned out to be T117B, T172, and the T30Bs. The matrilines were mixed and in two groups, with T30B, T30B2, and T172 travelling together in a tight group, while T117B and T30B1 travelled separately. After several photo-ID passes on both subgroups, the team left the whales in mid Haro Strait between Kellett and Sydney at 1420, as the whales continued to head north.