A fluke
Did you know that commercial whaling (mostly) in 1982 with a moratorium that was adopted by the International Whaling Commission? A few nations still apply for scientific permits to distribute to citizens, and another few object to the moratorium. Worldwide though, whaling is becoming less and less popular among peoples and so is declining. Sometimes it is possible to see the positive outcomes of this moratorium. Most of us have no idea how whales there normally were or should be, or really have any idea how to count whales. Orcas usually escaped whaling because of their speed and low blubber content, but Humpbacks were a prime target for whaling ships. A decade ago it would be a huge rarity to see in Humpback Whale in the Salish Sea, but this past decade their numbers in this area have slowly increased, and a few females have even brought multiple calves here on their annual migration. Their increase here could be related to the overall increase in the North Pacific. So here, today, there are much better chances to see Humpbacks in the Salish Sea, and it is definitely a welcome sight, and a reminder along with all the Bald Eagles that live here about the resiliency of creatures when giving the chance to recover.
This Tuesday brought another warm sunny day to the islands. We set out north with Captain Mike and great guests. First we checked out a whole huge group of Harbor Seals resting on White Rock near Waldron Island. They were all sunning on this gorgeous day, and it was a lot of fun seeing them scooching along the rocks, and scratching their chins with their stubby flippers. Next we moved up to Canada, to one of my most favorite places in the islands. Right where the Strait of Georgia and Boundary Pass meet there is a rocky reef called Boiling Reef which forces these two big bodies of water up and sideways in a million different directions, to create a incredible effect making the water seem to boil at all times no mater how calm the day is. Right next to the reef is also a large rock where a ton (well several tons) of Sea Lions love to haul out. This was a group of Steller’s Sea Lion, which are the largest species of Sea Lions in the world! The males can be 11 feet long and weigh more than a ton! We watch this group lazily look back at us and a few big males tire themselves posturing over, honestly, enough room for twenty more sea lions to fit.
After that we took a big turn back down south towards Presidents Channel between Orcas Island and Waldron Island, and soon enough blows! There were two Humpbacks near Sucia Island, north of Orcas Island. It looked like these two were feeding in some rips along with at least 15 Harbor porpoises. All were most likely using the change in currents to trap or at least catch confused fish and krill species unawares. Today was a great day to see how elegantly these Humpbacks move and also their characteristic heart-shaped blows. Adults are usually around 50 feet long and these two were swimming in around 60 feet of water – not a lot of space to move in – yet, they surfaced at dove with ease filling their mouths with tons (literal) of food. We watched these two spout and fluke till our non-heart-shaped hearts were content and headed back to Friday Harbor!
What another San Juanderful day! Until next time!
Naturalist Erick
M/V Sea Lion