EncDate:01/09/24 

EncSeq:2

Enc#:84

ObservBegin:09:14 AM

ObservEnd:09:55 AM

Vessel:Mike 1

Staff:Mark Malleson

Other Observers:Rod King, Cari Van Camp

Pods:Bigg's killer whales

LocationDescr:Sheringham Point

Start Latitude:48 20.82

Start Longitude:123 55.50

End Latitude:48 21.72

End Longitude:123 52.33

 

EncSummary:

Mark, Fin, Rod, and Cari were heading west out of the Juan de Fuca Strait early in the morning after departing the T069s near Race Rocks (see Encounter 83). As they approached Sheringham Point, about one nautical mile off the coast, Mark spotted the dorsal fin of a killer whale bull. Using his Swarovski binoculars, Mark quickly identified the bull as the unmistakable T063, also known as "Chainsaw."

T063 was traveling east, and within a few minutes, Rod spotted another dorsal fin about 0.75 nm closer to shore, likely belonging to his mother, T065. After capturing a few photos of T063, the team focused on finding the rather elusive T065. It took several minutes of scanning, but she was eventually spotted well inshore, heading east off Gordon's Beach and moving towards the salmon sport fishers.

The team concluded the encounter once they secured a proof-of-presence photo of T065.

Photos taken under Federal Permits

NMFS PERMIT: 27038/DFO SARA 388