EncDate:07/10/23 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:66

ObservBegin:04:20 PM

ObservEnd:07:04 PM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:Transients

LocationDescr:South of Victoria

Start Latitude:48 15.01

Start Longitude:123 20.72

End Latitude:48 12.79

End Longitude:123 23.57

 

EncSummary:

Upon receiving a report of four killer whales quickly heading east in the traffic lanes south of Race Rocks, Mark began to prepare the boat. Brendon joined him at the dock, and they set off on Mike 1 at 1545. By this time, the quartet of whales had surged eastward at 8 knots and merged with a larger group already engrossed in a sea lion predation.

The encounter began at 1620 as Mark and Brendon entered the scene, greeted by what seemed to be a dozen or more whales. Brendon identified the matrilines as the T035As, T036As, T038As, along with the T123s, who were the ones previously spotted heading east. This brought the grand tally to seventeen whales.

The sea lion, a mid-sized Steller, remarkably held its own despite the relentless onslaught from the whales. By 1500, it was apparent that the whales were deliberately extending the pursuit, taking moments to socialize, rest and regroup before the next onslaught. Brendon observed the lead huntress to be 23-year-old T038A. With assistance from both T036A1 and T123, she orchestrated the majority of the sea lion chase. While this trio pursued the hunt, the juveniles engaged in socialization. T036A hovered approximately a hundred meters away with some of the other youngsters, seemingly at rest, while T123A maintained prolonged dives on the periphery.

The sun began its descent at 1833, which also marked a pivotal shift in the hunt; while the whales briefly veered westward and rekindled their social interactions, the sea lion seized the opportunity and made a break for freedom in the interim. Attuned to the sea lion's escape, Mark adjusted Mike 1's course to the southeast, also keeping pace with the whales who had turned in tandem pursuit. Behind, the T035As, T036As (minus A1) and T123A kept course at a more leisurely pace.

Perhaps cognizant of the sea lion's vigor, the true onslaught commenced around 1845. Repeated passes were made at the sea lion, each more intense than the last. As the hunt approached its conclusion, so too did the day itself; Mark noted the dwindling sunlight and was aware that the opportunity to return home with any residual daylight was slipping away. At 1904, the decision was made to conclude the encounter and set course for Victoria after a final pass from T036A & T036A5. Behind, the hunt persisted into its fourth hour…

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