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EncDate:17/09/22 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:57

ObservBegin:04:27 PM

ObservEnd:04:50 PM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:Transients

LocationDescr:north of Crescent Bay

Start Latitude:48 12.02

Start Longitude:23 41.42

End Latitude:48 12.21

End Longitude:123 45.91

EncSummary:

Mark & Brendon departed Victoria harbour at 2:15pm after hearing reports of a large group of Bigg’s killer whales and dozens of humpback whales in the area. Aboard Mike 1, they veered into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and, with clear visibility and calm seas, quickly spotted a set of blows up ahead. The encounter began with a large group of Bigg’s north of Freshwater Bay at 1627.
Immediately, it was clear that the whales were not going anywhere fast; with loose groups spread out every which direction, some of whom were socializing while others slowly moved to the west. Mark positioned the boat parallel to the most westerly group of whales, which were soon identified as T060, T060F & T060G. More whales were spread out behind them, so after a quick look at these three individuals, Mark and Brendon opted to start working through the remaining extensive group, which they could see socializing a few hundred meters behind. 
This group was angled west-northwest and after determining that lighting was most optimal for lefts, the team moved over to the port side of the whales. Quickly, Brendon was able to identify the group as the T069s, T109As and three members of the T059s: T059, T059A2 & T059A4. These three have been associating with members of the T060s and T109Bs in recent weeks, so it was interesting to see them traveling rather tightly with the T109As.
After photographing lefts, and a few rights, over the course of the next half hour, it was determined that the only missing whales were dispersed brothers, T060D & T060E (who would show up in the following sequence), and close companions T002B & T060C who may simply have been further ahead. 
The encounter drew to a close at 1650 as the whales continued west at a leisurely pace and slowly began to fan out.