EncDate:16/09/22 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:56

ObservBegin:12:44 PM

ObservEnd:01:40 PM

Vessel:Orcinus

Staff:Michael Weiss

Other Observers:Rachel John, Samantha Mundorff, Federica Spina, Mia Nielsen

Pods:Transients

LocationDescr:East Point

Start Latitude:48 40.38

Start Longitude:123 00.38

End Latitude:48 48.38

End Longitude:123 00.43

 

EncSummary:

The team received reports of multiple groups of Bigg's killer whales in the San Juan Islands. They decided to try to intercept a group north of Orcas Island, travelling west, which would put them in a good spot to do aerial observations.

The team arrived on scene at 12:44 to find some very spread out whales, just on the Canadian side of the border near East Point. The team decided to wait and see if the whales would move either south or east into US airspace where they could conduct their aerial observations. The whales were spread out in pairs and singles, exhibiting long dives and zig-zagging movements.

The team initially stuck with T37 and T37B as they moved right along the Canadian border. As they moved further north, the team moved east where they found T34 and T34B, moving non-directionally and in close physical proximity to each other.

Eventually, the group came together and headed northwest, deeper into Canadian waters, making it clear that the team was not going to be able to do any aerial observations with this group today. The team did two very quick photo ID passes on the group to get proof of presence on all individuals, and then left them as they headed towards Saturna Island.