EncDate:29/10/24 

EncSeq:1

Enc#:110

ObservBegin:10:05 AM

ObservEnd:11:32 AM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Brendon Bissonnette

Pods:K, L

LocationDescr:Middle Bank

Start Latitude:48 21.20

Start Longitude:123 09.32

End Latitude:48 23.82

End Longitude:123 04.44

 

EncSummary:

Mark and Brendon left Victoria Harbour on Mike 1 at 0943 after receiving an early report from Gord, who had spotted two large groups of whales traveling south of Discovery Island, south of Oak Bay

They arrived on scene at 1005, locating the whales near the southwestern edge of Middle Bank. Ahead of them were two distinct groups: one moving northeast and the other heading southeast. They opted to begin with the northern group, which was travelling slightly faster, which Brendon quickly identified as K pod. All the whales were in a tight travelling formation; the closest whales to Mike 1 included members of the K12s and K13s, while the K14s and K16s were the furthest. After taking proof of presence photos, Mark and Brendon confirmed that all members were present, except for K26, who has been notably absent in the last three K pod encounters.

After managing several right-side IDs, Mark and Brendon chose to take advantage of the clear conditions by photographing the larger southern group while water conditions and lighting remained optimal. They cruised 300 meters to the south and confirmed that the other group was, in fact, L pod, which aligned with their suspicions, given that J pod had been spotted in Puget Sound over the past few days.

Together, they confirmed that all members were present except for a subgroup of the L12s—the L77s—along with L25, L87, and the L54s. Noting that L22 and the L94s were accounted for, they speculated that the missing Ls were likely nearby. L90 was also spotted swimming in the center of the group, nearest to L83. Additionally, L82 was seen with a superficial scratch on her dorsal fin. In total, they confirmed the presence of 23 members from L pod, along with 14 whales from K pod.

As KCB III began its approach to conduct drone work, Mark and Brendon decided to conclude their encounter at 1132 with the whales on a line for Salmon Bank. They set a course back to Victoria while keeping an eye out for the missing group of L pod whales, which would be located later by the team aboard KCB III.

 

NOTES/COMMENTS:

We are saddened to share that K26 is now on our list of missing whales. He has not been seen in the last three encounters despite the presence of the rest of his family. K26, was born in 1993. He is a member of the K14 matriline and has two younger siblings, K36 and K42.

Also missing from this recent encounter is L128, a young calf last observed during Encounter #99. Our field staff noted dramatic signs of emaciation at that time, and we feared it would not survive.

Since the start of our Orca Survey, our policy has been to wait for three consecutive encounters without a whale's sighting alongside its family before we consider it missing or presumed deceased.