Dan Kukat about the industry’s future
September 25, 2019Last week, it was a pleasure to be able to welcome aboard Kori Sidaway from CHEK news to talk about the current state of the Whale Watch Industry. This summer season has seen a marked decrease in sales for whale watching tours Victoria wide. The main reason appears to be …
Our Neighbours River Otters
August 21, 2019Since the beginning of the summer season here in Victoria, we have had many sightings of one of our cute and mischievous neighbors in the harbour: River Otters! River Otters are small aquatic mammals. They eat fish, shellfish, birds and other small mammals. River Otters can stay underwater for up …
Vessel Collisions & Underwater Noise
August 17, 2019THREATS TO MARINE MAMMALS It’s hard to imagine that whales in the Salish Sea would worry about much in their day to day lives. Orcas are the apex predators of the ocean and therefore don’t have to worry about a larger whale coming for them. A full-grown humpback is almost …
Southern Residents Moving Out?
August 13, 2019The Southern Resident Killer Whales are spending less time in the Salish Sea… Is it no longer a favourite place? The evidence is clear. Usually the Southern Resident Killer Whales will spend a good portion of the summer months doing a tour of the inland waters of the Salish Sea. …
Whale of a time as a Naturalist
August 9, 2019My interest and love in the ocean began in Massachusetts. It was there, as a young girl, that I saw my first Humpback Whale. Right then, I knew I wanted to devote my life to marine conservation. Coming from a small town in Southern Ontario, it was a dream of …
Killer Whales and Haida Culture
August 6, 2019I was born and raised on Haida Gwaii in the village of Skidegate. I was very lucky to have been brought up in my culture. During my time as a naturalist and a zodiac skipper it’s been interesting to see the similarities between killer whale societies and my own. The …
Terrible to Look Upon
August 3, 2019“These beasts are indeed terrible to look upon when alive, and they far surpass the sea bear [fur seal] in strength and size as well as in endurance of the different parts. They are hard to overcome and fight most viciously when cornered. They also give to the eyes and …
Our Elephant Seal Rookery
July 30, 2019The Race Rocks Lighthouse and Ecological Reserve is a spot we frequently visit on our Whale Watching Tours. In addition to being plentiful with marine life it is the most northern elephant seal rookery. It has only been a rookery for the last 10 years and is slowly growing. For …
Same animals, Different country
July 25, 2019Same animals, different country Killer whales (orca) are one of most largely distributed mammals in the world and, just like humans, depending on where they are found they have cultural variations in behavior, diet and vocalizations. When working in New Zealand I was lucky enough to see Killer Whales twice …
Lighthouse Keeper
July 21, 2019A Day in the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper. I have spent most of the last two years at the Race Rocks Lighthouse and Ecological Reserve. I take a few months off in the summer but between September and May that is where you will find me. Living alone on …