hUMPBACKS OF THE NORTH COAST chathAM 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] Phone: (250) 624-2008 Coast Mountain College, Room 184 353 5th Street, Prince Rupert, BC Humpback whales to northern feeding areas (from California to Alaska Megaptera novaeangliae 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 Humpbacks are a large baleen whale found throughout such as herring, capelin, sandlance and pilchard. most of the world’s oceans. They reach an average adult length of 12m (40ft) and may weigh up to Of all the baleen whales, humpbacks are most likely 40,000 kg. to engage in high energy surface behaviours such as breaching and slapping their tail flukes and pectoral In the North Pacific, the population has made an fins. There is no definitive explanation for these impressive comeback in the past 50 years. Humpback behaviours and they likely have various meanings whales were heavily targeted by commercial whaling in depending on the context. the North Pacific until 1966; by the end of this harvest, there may have been as few as 1,400 humpbacks left In many parts of their range, humpbacks are greatly in this population. However, between 2004-2006, impacted by human activity. Entanglement, ship a collaborative project titled ‘SPLASH’ (Structure strikes, noise, disturbance and overfishing of Populations, Levels of Abundance and Status of Humpbacks) estimated this population had rebounded of prey impact these whales. Currently, to 18,000-20,000 with an annual growth rate of 4.9 humpbacks whales in British to 6.8%. At the time, it was estimated that 3,000- Columbia are listed as 5,400 humpbacks used the waters adjacent to British “Special Concern” Columbia and Southeast Alaska. An updated estimate under the Species of humpback whale numbers in British Columbia will at Risk Act. 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 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: 4 Humpbacks of the North Coast Chatham Sound and Surrounding areas 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. (Right) Catalogue Region Chatham Sound & Surrounding Areas 5 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 6 SLOW DOWN Learn more about boating around whales at: 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 www.seeablowgoslow.org the mouth of Work Channel in the summer time, and the entrance to the Prince Rupert harbour in the winter time. www.wildwhales.org Both areas have a high degree of overlap between boats and whales seasonally. Please report Give whales space Please report any incidents of disturbance, collisions or entanglement in fishing gear immediately to The federal Marine Mammal Regulations require that DFO’s Reporting Line 1-800-465-4336 or vessels keep at least 100m from humpback whales - it’s Coast Guard VHF 16. Never attempt to the law. Consider the whale’s behaviour and size when remove any gear off an entangled assessing your approach. whale on your own. Specialized disentanglement teams are dispatched once reports are made. 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. more information BC Cetacean Sightings Network: www.wildwhales.org Contribute Calambokidis, J., E.A. Falcone,T.J. Quinn, A.M. Burdin, P.J. Clapham, J.K.B. Ford, C.M. Gabriele, R. LeDuc, D. You can contribute to our understanding and conserva- Mattila, L. Rojas-Bracho, J.M. Straley, B.L. Taylor, J. Ur- tion of humpback whales in Chatham Sound and sur- ban, D. Weller, B.H.Witteveen, M.Yamaguchi, A. Bendlin, rounding areas. Report sightings of humpback whales D. Camacho, K. Flynn, A. Havron, J. Huggins, and N. Ma- directly to our BC Cetacean Sightings Network via the loney. 2008. SPLASH: Structure of Populations, Levels of WhaleReport App (for iPhone and Android) or online at Abundance, and Status of Humpback Whales in the North wildwhales.org. Pacific. Final Report for Contract AB133F-03RP-00078. (link) You can also contribute photos of humpback flukes in to [email protected]. Please ensure you follow the Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2013. Recovery Strategy marine mammal regulations for boaters when photo- for the North Pacific Humpback Whale (Megaptera novae- graphing whales. 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. 8 WHALEx WHALES % white 10%white Catalogue guide Top-Right Tab indicates X = mostly black approximate percentage 0-20% white Nickname of white on whale fluke. Photos are organized by percentage white Y = intermediate Alphanumeric code name 20-80% white UKNC indicates whales that did not have Z = mostly white identifiers assigned by BCZ0333 (Gandalf) 80-100% white detailsDFO to date ❇ ❄ FS: 2014 Photo: Doug Davis 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) ♀ whale has been identified as female 9 x WHALES < 10% BCX0228 (Slinky) BCX0246 (Bubbles) ❇ FS: 2014 ❄ FS: 2015 BCX0475 (Inukshuk) BCX0557 (Caterpillar) ❇ FS: 2015 ❄ FS: 2016 BCXUKNC2017_32 (Pepper) BCX0691 (Buttons) ❇ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis ❇ FS: 2014 10 x WHALES < 10% BCX0699 (Mustache) BCX0762 (Moomin) ❄ FS: 2015 Photo: Nicole Robinson ❄ FS: 2015 BCX0779 (Trigger) BCX0806 (Zorro) ❇ FS: 2014 ❇ FS: 2017 BCXUKNC2017_4 BCX0927 (Illy) ❄ FS: 2017 ❄ FS: 2014 11 x WHALES 10% BCX0963 (Milky Way) BCX1065 (Tally) < ❄ FS: 2015 ❄❇ FS: 2017 BCX1127 (Trillium) BCX1188 (Jigger) ❇ FS: 2015 ❄ ♀ FS: 2016 BCXUKNC2014_10 BCXUKNC2014_11 (Tree Trunk) ❇ FS: 2014 ❇ FS: 2014 12 x WHALES 10% BCXUKNC2014_12 (Whiskers) < BCXUKNC2014_13 (Scribbles) ❇ FS: 2014 ❇ FS: 2014 BCXUKNC2014_14 (Batman) BCXUKNC2014_15 (Thumb Nail) ❇ FS: 2014 ❇ FS: 2014 BCXUKNC2014_16 (Rugged) BCXUKNC2014_17 (Paintbrush) ❇ FS: 2014 Photo: Doug Davis ❇ FS: 2014 13 x WHALES 10% BCX0129 (Wedge) BCXUKNC2014_19 (Jagged Ears) < ❇ FS: 2014 ❇ FS: 2014 BCXUKNC2014_2 (Nibble) BCXUKNC2014_20 (Bunny) ❇ FS: 2014 ❄❇ FS: 2014 BCXUKNC2017_31 (Divot) BCXUKNC2014_4 (Ditch) ❇ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis ❇ FS: 2014 14 x WHALES < 10% BCXUKNC2014_5 (Horizon) BCXUKNC2014_ 3 (Staff) ❇ FS: 2014 Photo: Megan Baker ❇ FS: 2014 BCXUKNC2014_7 (Showoff) BCXUKNC2014_9 (Monocle) ❇ FS: 2014 ❇ FS: 2014 BCXUKNC2015_8 (Wink) BCX0921 (Myrtle) ❄❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Doug Davis ❇ FS: 2018 15 x WHALES < 10% BCXUKNC2015_11 BCXUKNC2015_12 (Shock) ❇ FS: 2015 ❇ FS: 2014 Photo: Doug Davis BCXUKNC2015_13 BCXUKNC2015_14 ❇ FS: 2015 ❄ FS: 2014 Photo: Nichole Robinson BCXUKNC2015_15 BCXUKNC2015_16 ❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Trevor Ruelle ❇ FS: 2015 Photo: Trevor Ruelle 16 x WHALES < 10% BCXUKNC2017_35 (Notch) BCXUKNC2015_2 (Cherub) ❇ FS: 2017 Photo: Doug Davis ❄ FS: 2015 BCXUKNC2015_3 (Kilroy) BCXUKNC2015_4 (Kite) ❄ FS: 2015 ❄ FS: 2015 BCXUKNC2015_5 BCXUKNC2015_6 (Piranha)