EncDate: 24/11/20

EncSeq: 1

Enc#: 63

ObservBegin: 11:45 AM

ObservEnd: 01:00 PM

Vessel: Mike 1

Staff: Mark Malleson

Pods: J

Location Descr: Constance Bank

Start Latitude: 48 20.3

Start Longitude: 123 18.4

End Latitude: 48 22.8

End Longitude: 123 13.5

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EncSummary:

At 1010 Mark received a call from his friend Gord who spotted east-bound killer whales from shore southwest of Constance Bank and figured they were likely the J's from the day before. Mark left Victoria harbour at 1120 on Mike 1 to confirm and headed for Constance Bank.
At 1145 he came across J pod members working their way east on the eastern edge of Constance Bank (48 20.3/123 18.4). The seas were quite confused with a strong flood current working against the southeast swell generated from strong southeast winds several miles to the southeast. Many of the whales were taking advantage of the lively seas, with some catching a few waves and surfing back towards the west and others breaching over the tops of the swell. Their main trend was northeast travel towards Discovery Island, and it was apparent that the entire pod was present. They started to spread out as they approached the south of Trial Island and the seas began to build as the forecasted southwest winds had arrived. Despite the rapidly deteriorating seas, Mark made his way out to have a quick look at the most southern animals and came across the four eldest males, J38, J39, and the two mature bulls, J26 and J27. Mark ended the encounter at 1300 (48 22.8/123 13.5) and slogged his way back to Victoria harbour against the 20-knot southwest wind.