Friday, December 11, 2009

Orca Lab: Corky's 40th capture anniversary



Hi everyone,

Today is the 40th anniversary of Corky's capture. It's incredible that she has survived so long. Please think about her today, & light a candle for her if you can. Thanks.

We've posted a story on our web site at http://www.orcalab.org/news-archive/corky/091210.htm and WDCS has another on theirs at http://www.wdcs.org/story_details.php?select=514 which includes a link to their FaceBook page. If you use FaceBook, or Twitter, please start or participate in a conversation about Corky. Thanks.





We've also produced a short video which you can download at http://www.babywildfilms.com/orcalab/Corky_40th_Web.mov. (Thanks to Michael Harris for his help). Please make any use of it, and our story, that you may wish. Thanks.

Any thoughts or ideas you may have, and can pursue, that will bring attention to Corky's sad anniversary & situation will be much appreciated!

We hope this finds you doing well, wherever you are... take good care, please!

All our best wishes to you all,

Paul & Helena

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

U38 and U39 in Victoria

cali's
scene

At about 3:00 pm today I watched 2 large male killer whales (U38 and U39) from Dallas Rd in Victoria. I saw them pass in front of the Canadian Navy ship which makes for a nice photo. Then saw "Mallard" CWR / DFO on scene documenting the two transients. I noticed the animals went down on a very long dive because I didn't see anything after a while. My guess is they were in predation mode as the research boat remained on scene and attentive. After getting a coffee to warm up my freezing hands, I changed my location and returned to find the animals and the research boat further away towards the Metchosin shoreline. Thanks to Ron MMRG for the heads up.

Please note: I found on the old Center for Whale Research site that there are 14 transient pods:E,F,M,O,N,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,X,Y,Z

Chelsea Stanley, a biologist for DFO states;
U's are KW's whose ecotype is unknown. They are not given an ecotype until they are seen associated with a group with a known ecotype at least twice. I think they suspect most of them are transient-type

Jared Towers a killer whale technician of DFO states;
Nice photos. I like the from shore perspective. It looks like our most well known unknowns are still being anti-social. Like Chelsea says the designation may only be temporary for any U animal, especially these guys as they have been around quite a bit the past few years so it is only a matter of time before they prove themselves one way or another. Any designation beyond U is based on association, acoustics, genetics and to a lesser extent even prey preference. Hope they stick around.

cheers, JT

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Orcas


Orcas
Originally uploaded by Chiara09

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Killer whales attack and eat sharks

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/6668575/Killer-whales-attack-and-eat-sharks.html

New pictures have emerged that show orcas, or killer whales, attacking and killing Mako sharks.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Killer Whale - NZ - BEN (NZ101)


Killer Whale - NZ - BEN (NZ101)
Originally uploaded by fabiopicinato

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Orca calf receives Samish name

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/70183997.html

Friday, November 13, 2009

Baby Boom

http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/Whale%20baby%20boom%20Island/2218126/story.html

A brand-new killer-whale calf has made its first public appearance off the Victoria waterfront.

The birth is the fifth this year for the three endangered resident killer-whale pods and brings the total number of animals in the pods to 87.

The calf was first spotted on Remembrance Day.

"It's a baby boom," said Howard Garrett of Orca Network, a group that runs a whale-sighting network.

With gestation taking 17 months from the spring and summer mating season, calves are often born in the fall and winter, he said.

There were seven deaths last year in the summer-resident pods, sparking concerns about their survival, especially since some of the whales showed signs of malnutrition before they disappeared.

The lowest documented number of summer residents was 71 in 1973 and 1976, following years of shootings and captures. Thirty years later, in 1996, the animals were back up to a high of 97. Historically, the three pods had about 120 members.

Coincidentally, the two whale researchers who tracked and photographed the new calf, Ken Balcomb -- executive director of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor, Wash. -- and Mark Malleson of Victoria, were both celebrating their birthdays Nov. 11.

There couldn't be a better birthday present, they agreed.

"This is wonderful.

I hope they are finding plenty of food this year. It's the key to their survival," Balcomb said.

"It was quite exciting," said Malleson, a contract marine mammal observer for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Center for Whale Research.

Malleson, also a skipper-naturalist for Prince of Whales whale watching, took photos of the new calf, which has characteristic newborn pink markings and folds behind the dorsal fin.

The calf was with its mother, 16-year-old J28, known as Polaris.

Although Polaris is a young mom, Balcomb is hoping the grandmother, who also had a calf in January, will give a helping hand. "Her mom is pretty experienced and they are travelling together. I think the calf will have a pretty good chance," he said.

About 50 per cent of killer whale calves die in the first year.

This calf will have a better chance of survival if its mother has already had a stillborn calf, to clean toxins such as PCBs and fire retardants from her system, Balcomb said.

Malleson hopes winter survival rates will be good, noting this year has been much better for salmon than last. "I just hope they are well-fed from the summer and don't have to dig too far into their fat reserves. We'll do a rollcall when they all come back at the beginning of next season."

Some of the summer residents stick around for the winter, while others disperse.

In addition to shrinking salmon supplies, the whales battle noise and pollution in their home waters. Environmental groups are pursuing a court case against DFO claiming the federal government is not providing sufficient protection for critical habitat.

"It's excellent that there's a new baby. That's why there's still hope here and why it's such an exciting case to be working on," said lawyer Margot Venton, who is representing the groups.

"Critical habitat is the foundation for recovery of the species. ... If they screw up with protection of critical habitat, they are blowing apart something essential to the whales' survival."

The case is likely to go to court in the spring.

jlavoie@tc.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Saturday, October 31, 2009

I Said, Arrrruhhhooo!

Orcas turn up the volume.; http://www.seattlemet.com/issues/archives/articles/orcas-salmon-1109/

Friday, October 30, 2009

B.C. MARINE MAMMAL SYMPOSIUM

B.C. MARINE MAMMAL SYMPOSIUM, Saturday, November 28, 2009 – 9:30am – 5:00pm at UBC

You need to confirm your attendance: Please email Pamela Rosenbaum @ consortium@zoology.ubc.ca before November 20, 2009

Lunch and refreshments will be provided, but we need to know how many people to plan for. There will also be a social evening (6:00-9:00 pm) where beer and pizza can be purchased.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Massive killer whale pod sighted

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8308000/8308265.stm

A massive pod of up to 50 killer whales has been filmed for the first time off the coast of Scotland by a BBC crew.

Friday, October 16, 2009

NOAA extends deadline

http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Whales-Dolphins-Porpoise/Killer-Whales/ESA-Status/Orca-Vessel-Regs.cfm

Oct. 16, 2009; Comment Period Extension: NOAA has extended the deadline for submitting comments on proposed vessels regulation to protect killer whales in Puget Sound to Jan. 15, 2010.

---

Personally, I do not like this delay. I would at least like to see some enforcement changes made for the next season, because if this is that important then why do nothing in the meantime? I hope that something is done to show us that this is not all for nothing.

---


NOTE THE CHANGE IN THE SURVEY DATE ! >>>

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Blog : Postcoards from Friday Harbour on NOAA

http://fridayharborhappenings.blogspot.com/2009/10/porposed-vessel-impact-regulations-let.html Sandy Buckley's blog post part 1

http://fridayharborhappenings.blogspot.com/2009/10/let-your-voices-be-heard-comment-period.html Sandy Buckley's blog post part 2

Another article on the Friday Harbor NOAA Meeting

NOAA meeting article in the San Juan Journal

Friday, October 09, 2009

Senator Murray is Beginning to Listen to You on Orca Issues

http://blog.seattlepi.com/candacewhiting/archives/181297.asp

By Candace Calloway Whiting

PS Thanks Scott of OrcaSphere for finding this

Offshore Killer Whales are about to uplisted to Endangered by COSEWIC

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/sara-lep/index-eng.htm

Offshore Killer Whale - potentially listed as Threatened
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 09:39:35 -0700
From: XPAC Species at Risk

The offshore pop...ulation of killer whales was listed as Special Concern in 2003 by the Species at Risk Act (SARA). It was reassessed in March 2009 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as Threatened. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is now seeking your input on potentially changing its status to Threatened under SARA. ... Read More

It is difficult to distinguish between resident, transient and offshore killer whales found on the west coast of North America. Offshores are a genetically distinct group, thought to be most closely related to resident rather than to transient killer whales due to similarities in appearance, vocalizations and genetics. Encounters with offshore killer whales have occurred mostly around the Queen Charlotte Islands; however, there have also been sightings of offshore killer whales in coastal and inshore waters such as Strait of Georgia and western Johnstone Strait.

Some factors that threaten the offshore killer whale population include reductions in the availability or quality of prey due to fisheries competition or regime shift, environmental contamination, and acute acoustic disturbance. Natural factors and periodic events such as mass strandings or entrapments in narrow inlets also have the potential to drastically reduce local numbers.

If you would like to know more about offshore killer whales or would like to submit comments on its potential listing as Threatened, please see http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/consultation/sara-lep/index-eng.htm. The comment period ends on November 13, 2009. Your input is valuable to DFO and will be considered by the Minister of Environment, in consultation with the Minister of Fisherises and Oceans, in making a listing recommendation.

Sincerely,

Karen Calla
A/Regional Manager – Species at Risk
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200-401 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC
V6C 3S42

Thanks to Jim Dale of 5 Star Whale Watching for the link

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Friday Harbor Noaa meeting coverage links

NOAA - Thoughts on the new regulations for southern resident orcas

Orca Watcher: Noaa meeting


more to come hopefully

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Power to the people & orcas


(A36's at the end of the rainbow)

I am finding out, quite quickly that if we are to make changes for the the planet and for the orcas future that it will be up to us to act individually. At this time, government, scientists and law makers are caught up trying to systemize a plan that will protect our endangered orcas. And the perspectives within the industry are varied.

I am a public citizen, I am no expert on orcas, nor am I employed by anyone in the industry. I am a service who is contracted for services both by the whale watching industry and NGO alike along with many other clients outside of this industry. In return, my work is often donated to various groups, projects and government who are busy educating the world on change. I am not governed and am free to speak my mind, this is the reason I have chosen the entire time to remain independent in my work so that I may use my work and my mouth when necessary and this is one of those times.

It's that time.

The people need to step up, voice their opinions and push hard for the changes while the changes are being formulated, please see the links to the right about what is going on. I have full respect to all the scientists involved (and have worked along side many even in full opposition of one another) from all perspectives, however from a public perspective, we are torn with which direction to turn, which science is right and then what procedure is best. What we can do, is use our common sense. We can educate ourselves, and make different choices when it comes to our behaviors; consuming, eating, habits and so forth. We can limit the amount of Salmon we include in our diets. We can choose responsible whale watching tours and to act accordingly when on the water. We can choose to live healthy lives, and send love and positivity into the world. We can show support to those when it's needed, now is a good time. Let's show support for the planet, not just orcas.

When I entered this work 7 years ago, I did so from a different platform; from an anti-whale watching platform because I thought it was best for the orcas. Very quickly I discovered that my work would be used as a weapon and my voice silenced by other people's perspectives. It was actually working with Luna that taught me much about the nature of people around orcas. I stepped off and went on my own, and in doing so, I went whale watching. Many years have passed, and I am in full support of that initiative and feel it is great opportunity for making positive impacts on people thus inspiring change for the orcas future. I agree that changes are necessary out there, let's make sure they're the right changes for them and for us, we live here together. Please consider making a comment - we will not agree on everything but we will on one really important fact; we love orcas and want them to survive. We need your voice. I have withheld my thoughts and feel now is the time to make them known. Thanks for listening.

A reminder that Monday night, Oct. 5th is the final public meeting for comments on NOAA's proposed vessel regulations - the meeting is 7-9 p.m., at the Grange Hall, First Street, Friday Harbor, Wash. You may also submit comments to NOAA via email at: orca.plan@noaa.gov. The deadline for comments is Oct. 27, 2009. For more information about the propsed regulations, visit http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Whales-Dolphins-Porpoise/Killer-Whales/ESA-Status/Orca-Vessel-Regs.cfm

People for Puget Sound on NOAA

http://www.pugetsound.org/sound-spotlight/092309noaa/

Friday, October 02, 2009

NOAA FEEDBACK : Links

http://www.bloodydecks.com/forums/fishing-rights/163409-summary-september-30-2009-noaa-orcas-meeting-seattle.html#post1503136

This thread hosts lots of entries and personal blog posts about the meeting and people's feelings and opinions. Finally people are talking!

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Blog: NOAA vessel rules rejected at Seattle Aquarium

Scott Veirs comments on the public hearing for the new regulations; http://www.orcasphere.net/2009/09/30/vessel-rules-rejected-at-seattle-aquarium/