EncDate:12/10/22 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:72

ObservBegin:04:05 PM

ObservEnd:04:20 PM

Vessel:Orcinus

Staff:Michael Weiss

Other Observers:Samantha Mundorff, Rachel John, Darren Croft

Pods:Transients

LocationDescr:Trial Islands

Start Latitude:48 24.05

Start Longitude:123 17.16

End Latitude:48 23.78

End Longitude:123 17.41

 

EncSummary:

There were no killer whales reported in our study area until mid afternoon, when a group of Biggs were found off Discovery Island. The whales were identified as members of the T35 and T38 matrilines, none of whom had been documented by the CWR since 2020. The team deployed at 15:25 and headed west past Discovery Island, arriving on scene with the whales just east of the Trial Islands at 16:05.

With the sun getting low in the sky and the whales headed further from home, the team decided to make the encounter quick. The whales were split into two groups. In the front was T35A with T35A2 and new calf T35A4, with T35A1 hanging a bit off from the other four. Behind was T38A with her kid T38A2 and T35A3. The team did one photo ID pass to get lefts on the all the whales. The whales stalled, and on their next surfacing they were grouped up and had turned towards Orcinus, heading offshore.

After shutting down the engine and letting the whales pass, the team reviewed their photos and was satisfied that had adequately documented the group. The team ended the encounter at 16:20 and headed back to the dock.

Photos taken under Federal Permits

NMFS PERMIT: 21238/ DFO SARA 388