hUMPBACKS OF THE NORTH COAST - WildWhales · (Hawaii, Mexico, and southern Asia) A group of whales...

hUMPBACKS OF THE NORTH COASTchathAM SOUND & SURROUNDING AREAS

This catalogue was compiled by the North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative (NCCRI), a program of the Coastal Ocean Research Institute, an initiative of Ocean Wise Conservation Association. NCCRI

began collecting North Coast humpback identification photos in 2014, with

contributions from many observers. The NCCRI acknowledges that these data were collected in the traditional territory of the

Tsimshian First Nations.

This catalogue was produced by Karina Dracott and Caitlin Birdsall

Design and illustration by Leya Tess Anderson

ISBN 978-0-9695529-8-7

North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative

Email: [email protected]: (250) 624-2008

Coast Mountain College, Room 184 353 5th Street, Prince Rupert, BC

Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpbacks are a large baleen whale found throughout most of the world’s oceans. They reach an average adult length of 12m (40ft) and may weigh up to 40,000 kg.

In the North Pacific, the population has made an impressive comeback in the past 50 years. Humpback whales were heavily targeted by commercial whaling in the North Pacific until 1966; by the end of this harvest, there may have been as few as 1,400 humpbacks left in this population. However, between 2004-2006, a collaborative project titled ‘SPLASH’ (Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpbacks) estimated this population had rebounded to 18,000-20,000 with an annual growth rate of 4.9 to 6.8%. At the time, it was estimated that 3,000-5,400 humpbacks used the waters adjacent to British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. An updated estimate of humpback whale numbers in British Columbia will be available in 2020 following a coast-wide survey conducted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2018.

The North Pacific population of humpback whales makes long distance migrations. They range from winter breeding grounds in southern latitudes (Hawaii, Mexico, and southern Asia)

A group of whales bubble-net feeding

to northern feeding areas (from California to Alaska and Russia) where they spend the summer months. The waters humpbacks frequent in the summer months are rich in prey, including krill and small schooling fish such as herring, capelin, sandlance and pilchard.

Of all the baleen whales, humpbacks are most likely to engage in high energy surface behaviours such as breaching and slapping their tail flukes and pectoral fins. There is no definitive explanation for these behaviours and they likely have various meanings depending on the context.

In many parts of their range, humpbacks are greatly impacted by human activity. Entanglement, ship strikes, noise, disturbance and overfishing of prey impact these whales. Currently, humpbacks whales in British Columbia are listed as “Special Concern” under the Species at Risk Act.

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Humpback whales are known as a rorqual whale, which means they have long pleats from their lower jaw to their abdomen that allows the throat to expand, engulfing huge amounts of food-filled water while feeding. Humpbacks then use baleen like a sieve to trap food while removing the salt water. Humpback whales employ several feeding techniques to obtain these mouthfuls; most spectacularly, bubble-netting, where one to several animals may create a circular wall of bubbles to concentrate food before lunging through it. Here is what bubble-net feeding looks like from below the surface:

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This catalogue includes whales observed in the Chatham Sound, Work Channel, and Eastern Dixon Entrance areas primarily.

According to our citizen science project, BC Cetacean Sightings Network (wildwhales.org), humpback whales are the most commonly reported cetacean in this region. They are observed in both winter (October through April) and summer (may through September) months.

Humpbacks of the North CoastChatham Sound and Surrounding areas

(Right) Catalogue Region Chatham Sound & Surrounding Areas

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Boater behaviour

around humpbacks

For boater and whale safety, it is imperative that vessels operate carefully around humpbacks. Boaters have been severely injured by collisions with humpback whales in British Columbia.

Boats should exercise caution in areas of known or potential humpback activity. Humpbacks can surface suddenly and without warning. They are often appear unaware of boat presence and boaters should not assume humpback whales know where the vessel is located. Boaters should be on alert throughout the North Coast to humpback whale presence.

SIGNS that WHALES may

be Nearby

× Bird activity × Bait balls× Blows (exhalations) × Splashes × Ecotourism vessels stopped or slowed

SLOW DOWN

If whale presence is detected or if you are operating in an area that is often used by humpbacks, slow down. Boaters in this region should particularly pay attention around the mouth of Work Channel in the summer time, and the entrance to the Prince Rupert harbour in the winter time. Both areas have a high degree of overlap between boats and whales seasonally.

Give whales space

The federal Marine Mammal Regulations require that vessels keep at least 100m from humpback whales - it’s the law. Consider the whale’s behaviour and size when assessing your approach.

Do not park in the travel

path of the whale

If whales are bubblenetting, give additional space as their surfacing can be abrupt and powerful, and the whales may be very focused on feeding and oblivious to vessels in their vicinity.

Please report

Please report any incidents of disturbance, collisions or entanglement in fishing gear immediately to DFO’s Reporting Line 1-800-465-4336 or Coast Guard VHF 16. Never attempt to remove any gear off an entangled whale on your own. Specialized disentanglement teams are dispatched once reports are made.

Learn more about boating around whales at:

www.seeablowgoslow.org

www.wildwhales.org

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You can contribute to our understanding and conserva-tion of humpback whales in Chatham Sound and sur-rounding areas. Report sightings of humpback whales directly to our BC Cetacean Sightings Network via the WhaleReport App (for iPhone and Android) or online at wildwhales.org.

You can also contribute photos of humpback flukes in to [email protected]. Please ensure you follow the marine mammal regulations for boaters when photo-graphing whales.

BC Cetacean Sightings Network: www.wildwhales.org

Calambokidis, J., E.A. Falcone,T.J. Quinn, A.M. Burdin, P.J. Clapham, J.K.B. Ford, C.M. Gabriele, R. LeDuc, D. Mattila, L. Rojas-Bracho, J.M. Straley, B.L. Taylor, J. Ur-ban, D. Weller, B.H.Witteveen, M.Yamaguchi, A. Bendlin, D. Camacho, K. Flynn, A. Havron, J. Huggins, and N. Ma-loney. 2008. SPLASH: Structure of Populations, Levels of Abundance, and Status of Humpback Whales in the North Pacific. Final Report for Contract AB133F-03RP-00078. (link)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2013. Recovery Strategy for the North Pacific Humpback Whale (Megaptera novae-angliae) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa. x + 67 pp

Ford, J.K.B. 2014. Marine Mammals of British Columbia. Victoria, B.C.: Royal BC Museum.

Contribute

more information

x WHALES 10%white

details

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WHALE % white

♀ whale has been identified as female

Top-Right Tab indicates approximate percentage of white on whale fluke. Photos are organized by percentage white

BCZ0333 (Gandalf)

❇ ❄ FS: 2014 Photo: Doug Davis

Catalogue guide

FS: year First Sighted (not year photo taken)

❄ whale has been observed in the winter (October - April)

❇ whale has been observed in the summer (May - September)

Alphanumeric code name

UKNC indicates whales that did not have identifiers assigned by DFO to date

Nickname

X = mostly black 0 -20% white

Y = intermediate 20-80% white

Z = mostly white 80-100% white

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x WHALES < 10% BCX0228 (Slinky) BCX0246 (Bubbles)

❇ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2016

❄ FS: 2015

❇ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis

❇ FS: 2015

❇ FS: 2014

BCX0475 (Inukshuk) BCX0557 (Caterpillar)

BCX0691 (Buttons)BCXUKNC2017_32 (Pepper)

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x WHALES < 10%BCX0699 (Mustache)

BCX0779 (Trigger) BCX0806 (Zorro)

BCX0927 (Illy)BCXUKNC2017_4

BCX0762 (Moomin)

❄ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2017

❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2017

❇ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2015 Photo: Nicole Robinson

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x WHALES < 10%BCX0963 (Milky Way) BCX1065 (Tally)

BCX1127 (Trillium) BCX1188 (Jigger)

BCXUKNC2014_10 BCXUKNC2014_11 (Tree Trunk)

❇ FS: 2014

❄ ♀ FS: 2016

❄❇ FS: 2017

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2015

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2014_12 (Whiskers) BCXUKNC2014_13 (Scribbles)

BCXUKNC2014_15 (Thumb Nail)BCXUKNC2014_14 (Batman)

BCXUKNC2014_16 (Rugged) BCXUKNC2014_17 (Paintbrush)

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014


❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

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x WHALES < 10%BCX0129 (Wedge) BCXUKNC2014_19 (Jagged Ears)

BCXUKNC2014_20 (Bunny)BCXUKNC2014_2 (Nibble)

BCXUKNC2014_4 (Ditch)BCXUKNC2017_31 (Divot)

❇ FS: 2014

❄❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014


❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2014_5 (Horizon)

BCXUKNC2014_7 (Showoff)

BCXUKNC2015_8 (Wink) BCX0921 (Myrtle)

BCXUKNC2014_ 3 (Staff)

BCXUKNC2014_9 (Monocle)

❇ FS: 2018

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❄❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Doug Davis

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014 Photo: Megan Baker

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2015_11

BCXUKNC2015_13 BCXUKNC2015_14

BCXUKNC2015_15 BCXUKNC2015_16

BCXUKNC2015_12 (Shock)

❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Trevor Ruelle

❄ FS: 2014 Photo: Nichole Robinson



❇ FS: 2015

❇ FS: 2015

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2017_35 (Notch)

BCXUKNC2015_4 (Kite)BCXUKNC2015_3 (Kilroy)

BCXUKNC2015_2 (Cherub)

BCXUKNC2015_5 BCXUKNC2015_6 (Piranha)


❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2015


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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2018_6 (Chico Mendes)

BCXUKNC2016_2 (Captain)

BCXUKNC2018_8 (Pi) BCXUKNC2016_5 (Swish)

BCXUKNC2016_3 (Aurora)

BCXUKNC2017_33 (Merry)

❄ FS: 2016

❄❇♀ FS: 2016 (mother of BCXUKNC2018_2 Jack) Photo: Doug Davis


❄❇ FS: 2016


❇ FS: 2018

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2016_6

BCXUKNC2014_21 (Frenchy)

BCXUKNC2017_9 (Morse Code) BCXUKNC2018_5 (Kinny)

BCx0566 (Bear Claw)

BCXUKNC2017_5 (VanGogh)

❄ FS: 2018

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2017

❇ FS: 2017

❄ FS: 2014 Mother of BCYUKNC2017_22

❄ FS: 2016

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2017_13 (Bracket)

BCXUKNC2017_16

BCXUKNC2017_18 (Bolt)

BCXUKNC2017_15 (Fox Eyes)

BCXUKNC2017_17 (Fountain)

❇ FS: 2017

❇ FS: 2017


❇ FS: 2017


BCXUKNC2014_6 (Nobby)

❇ FS: 2014

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2017_19 (Lefty Eleven) BCX0897 (Gingko)

BCXUKNC2015_18 (Treble Clef)

BCXUKNC2017_23 (Hook) BCXUKNC2017_24 (Fizz)



❄❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Doug Davis

❄❇ FS: 2017

❇ FS: 2017

BCXUKNC2018_2 (Jack)

❇ FS: 2018 Calf of BCXUKNC2016_3 Aurora

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x WHALES < 10%BCXUKNC2017_26 (Chalice)

BCXUKNC2017_34 (Double Scoop)

BCXUKNC2015_17 (Ellipsis)

BCXUKNC2017_3

BCXUKNC2017_28 (Kandinsky)



❄ FS: 2017

❄ FS: 2015


BCXUKNC2016_7

❇ FS: 2016 Photo: Bruce Whittington

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x WHALES < 10%BCX0604 (Ghost)

BCXUKNC2017_36 (Lenny)

❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2017

BCXUKNC2017_21 (Chomp)

❇ FS: 2017

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x WHALES 10-20%BCX0649 (Monarchy) BCXUKNC2014_8 (Splotch)

BCX1269 (Fangs)BCXUKNC2018_3 (Barney)

BCXUKNC2017_25 (Skyfall)

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014



❇ FS: 2014

25

y WHALES 20-30% BCY0036 (Scatter)

BCY0108 (Snowtip)

BCY0311 (Tempest) BCY0506 (Crest)

BCY0189 (Burrow)

BCY0067 (Cato)

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❄ ♀ FS: 2014


❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis

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y WHALES 20-30% BCY0605 (Scream)

BCY0734 (Cricket)

BCYUKNC2014_1 (Pillar) BCYUKNC2015_4 (Bear)

BCY0766 (Teepee)

BCY0712 (Machete)

❄❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Megan Baker

❄ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2017

❇ FS: 2017

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y WHALES 20-30% BCYUKNC2015_5 (Archipelago)

BCYUKNC2016_2 (Faceoff)

BCYUKNC2017_11 (Galaxy)

BCYUKNC2016_3 (Pacman)

BCYUKNC2016_1 (Cloud)


❄ FS: 2016

❄ FS: 2016

❄ FS: 2016

❇ FS: 2015

BCYUKNC2018_4 (Rorschach)

❇ FS: 2018

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y WHALES 20-30% BCY0578 (Loop-D-Loop) BCY0032 (Pincer)

❄ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis❇ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis

BCYUKNC2018_1 (Cedar)


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y WHALES 30-50%

BCY0428 (Portobello)

BCY0735 (Moonpie) BCYUKNC2014_2

BCY0429 (Gator)

BCY0352 (Pointer)

❄ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2016

❄ FS: 2017

BCY0510 (Hurricane)

❇ FS: 2018

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y WHALES 30-50%BCYUKNC2014_3

BCYUKNC2014_6 (Meteor)

BCYUKNC2014_8 (Lantern Fish) BCYUKNC2015_1 (Pongo)

BCYUKNC2014_7

BCYUKNC2014_4

❄ FS: 2015

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

❇ FS: 2014

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x WHALES 10%white

details

details

details

details

details

details

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Y WHALES 30-50%BCYUKNC2015_7 (Dungeness)

BCYUKNC2017_3 (Lazy Eye)

BCYUKNC2017_7 (Troll) BCYUKNC2017_8 (Dundee)

BCYUKNC2017_6 (Coronula)

BCYUKNC2017_2 (Sia)


❇ FS: 2017


❇ FS: 2017



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Y WHALES 30-50% BCYUKNC2017_9 (Spectre)

BCY0092 (Skeksis)

BCYUKNC2017_20 (Spirit) BCYUKNC2017_21 (Chevron)

BCY0790 (Pan)

BCYUKNC2017_12 (Casper)






❇ FS: 2017 Photo: April Macleod

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Y WHALES 50-80% BCY0149 (Ray-Ban)

BCYUKNC2015_2 (Treasure)

BCYUKNC2017_1 (Mitz) BCYUKNC2014_5 (Dragonface)

BCYUKNC2015_3 (Pinky)

❇ FS: 2014

❄❇ FS: 2015

❄❇ FS: 2017

❄ FS: 2015

❄ FS: 2015

BCY0094 (Masquerade)

❄ FS: 2015

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Y WHALES 50-80% BCY0430 (Raven)

BCYUKNC2017_19 (Narnia)

BCZ0240 (Rosie)

BCYUKNC2017_22

❄ FS: 2017 Calf of BCXUKNC2014_21 Frenchy




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z WHALES 80-90% BCZ0039 (Eel)

BCZ0271 (Fifteen) BCZUKNC2015_4 (Seven)

BCZ0335 (Underbite)

BCY0310 (Polar)

❄ FS: 2015

❇❄ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2015

❇❄ FS: 2014

BCZUKNC2017_5 (Anteater)


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Z WHALES 80-90% BCz0056 (Mashed)

BCZUKNC2015_3 (Mouse)

BCZUKNC2016_3 (Scout)

BCZUKNC2016_1 (Gumboot)

BCZUKNC2015_1 (Mangle)

❇❄ FS: 2015


❇❄ FS:2016

❇❄ FS:2015

❇❄ FS: 2014 Photo: Megan Baker

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Z WHALES 90-100% BCZ0077 (Sprinter)

BCZ0333 (Gandalf)

BCZUKNC2016_4 (Wavelet) BCZUKNC2014_2 (Thumbtack)

BCZUKNC2015_2 (Pica)

BCZ0223 (Wally)

❇❄ FS: 2014

❄ FS: 2015 Photo: Nicole Robinson



❇❄ FS: 2014 Photo: Doug Davis

❄ FS:2015

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Z WHALES 90-100% BCZUKNC2017_3 (Ricochet) BCZUKNC2017_4 (Chopsticks)

❇ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis❇ FS: 2017

BCZ0195 (Lunar)


BCZUKNC2017_5 (Anteater)

❇ FS: 2017

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Photography credits

Megan Bakerpage: 15, 17, 18, 24, 26, 28, 31, 36,37

Doug Davispage: 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20,

21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 34

April Macleod page: 32

Nicole Robinsonpages: 11, 16, 37

Trevor Ruelle page: 16, 31

Bruce Whittington page: 22

All photos were taken by North Coast Cetacean Research Initiative (NCCRI), a program of the Coastal Ocean Research Institute, an initiative of Ocean Wise Conservation Association, with

the exception of:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This catalogue would not be possible without the contributions of many including: Leya Anderson, Megan Baker, Andy Blackburn, Amanda Beckett, Marty Bowles, Dillon Buerk, the crew of the Charles Hayes, Cat Daley, Doug Davis, Debbie Davis, Dave Dickson, David Doolan, Victoria Ehmann, Sarah Ducharme, Darla Farrington, Brittany Fenwick, Dylan Fowler, Oliver Hausemann, Cheri Herbert, David Hoar, Gerritt Houtschild, Mae Jong Bowles, David Leask, Meaghan MacDonald, the Marine Education and Research Society, the Metlakatla Stewardship Society, Christie McMillan, Colin Nelson, Joan and Brent Patriquin , Carmen Pendleton, Nicole Robinson, Taylor Ryan, Trevor Ruelle, Mallika Singh, Stephanie Spencer, Edward Stacey, Keila Stark, Jackie Hildering and Bruce Whittington.

Thank you for your contributions of time, data, photographs and advice.

This Project was supported partially by a financial contribution from Fisheries and Oceans Canada / Ce Projet fut partiellement appuyé par une contribution financière de Pêches et océans Canada.

Contact

North Coast Cetacean Research InitiativeEmail: [email protected]: (250) 624-2008

In person: Coast Mountain College, Room 184 353 5 Street, Prince Rupert, BC

hUMPBACKS OF THE NORTH COAST - WildWhales · (Hawaii, Mexico, and southern Asia) A group of whales...

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