EncDate:14/10/22 

EncSeq:2

Enc#:73

ObservBegin:01:52 PM

ObservEnd:04:10 PM

Vessel:Orcinus

Staff:Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss

Other Observers:Federica Spina, Samantha Mundorff

Pods:J

LocationDescr:southern Rosario Strait, eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca

Start Latitude:48 24.34

Start Longitude:122 45.46

End Latitude:48 17.46

End Longitude:122 49.15

 

EncSummary:

While the team was wrapping up the drone encounter with T49C and T49A2 off the south end of San Juan Island, we received word from Monika Wieland-Shields that they had re-found J pod at the south end of Rosario Strait. We left the pair of transients and eventually arrived on scene with J pod at 1352 about three miles southeast of Davidson Rock off the south end of Lopez Island. J pod was spread out in groups and singles. The western most whales included the J19s, J37s, and J22 in a tight group heading south. A smaller group to the east of the J19s and J37s included J35, J57, J44, J53, and J46. J39 was seen foraging and traveling south by himself. Other singles and pairs could be seen both to the east and southeast of the first two groups.
J38 and J46 traveled loosely spread out together between the J19s and J37s group and Whidbey Island. Other singles were seen in the distance closer to the Whidbey Island shoreline. J35, J57, the J31s, and J53 were also in the area. The J31s along with J42 and J53 formed a small group and were milling around like they were sharing a salmon. J27 appeared out of the east and also milled around while slowly following the J31s and J53. J47 then appeared out of the southeast and traveled loosely with these whales. Either J53 or J56 breached at least twice. Several minutes later, other spread out whales appeared from the east and this was J26 and J45 paralleling each other by about fifty yards. Some other whales could be seen to the west of this pair. We then saw J35 again with both J57 and J58 traveling together. J57 and J58 were active and both did several tail lobs. J57 also breached twice. We ended the encounter at 1610 about two miles southeast of Smith Island with J pod still spread out in groups, pairs, and singles heading south-southwest.

Photos taken under Federal Permits

NMFS PERMIT: 21238/ DFO SARA 388