Where are Blossom and Splash?
Also identified as J11 and L67, they are two breeding female killer whales that have been added to a growing list of local orcas missing and believed dead this year.
Their disappearances have fanned fears for the future of the southern resident killer whales.
No bodies have been found, but scientists with the Center for Whale Research on San Juan Island have concluded there are now seven adults and calves unaccounted for, pushing the population that once numbered 200 down to 83.
Southern resident orcas straddle the U.S. border, ranging the waters off B.C.'s south coast through the Gulf Islands to Seattle.
They're among the most researched and watched whales on the planet, all individually identified by numbers and even names based on fin markings.
Observers had already witnessed signs of starvation in the form of an emaciated condition called "peanut head."
And the orcas' plight may be worsening as they head into winter malnourished as a result of this year's dismal salmon returns.
"This is a species that cannot afford to lose one, let alone seven individuals," said Christianne Wilhelmson of the Georgia Strait Alliance.
The whales rely heavily on chinook and chum salmon as their primary food source, she said, but those fish stocks cratered this year.
Six environmental groups have now joined forces to pressure the federal government to take new steps to protect both northern and southern resident orcas in order to comply with Canada's Species At Risk Act.
Rather than issue an order that critical habitat be protected, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans issued a statement deeming that habitat to already be protected through a variety of existing mechanisms.
Ecojustice, the non-profit group coordinating the challenge, has asked the Federal Court of Canada for a declaration that Ottawa has not adequately met its responsibilities.
Staff lawyer Lara Tessaro said it's a key test of Canada's approach to protecting endangered species.
"If we lack the will to protect killer whales, there's not too many species the government is going to protect," she said.
Tessaro said actions that could aid orcas include naming Marine Protected Areas that limit certain activities, banning military sonar use when whales are present as well as more intensive steps to protect salmon and even allocate part of the runs for orca consumption.
She said Ottawa's powers to authorize habitat destruction, as it has done for the expansion of Deltaport, is an example of the inadequacy of federal orca protection.
The groups also fear the whales' salmon food supply is dwindling due to overfishng, the impacts of fish farming, inland habitat loss and rising ocean temperatures due to climate change.
donderdag 30 oktober 2008
When the last whale is gone
The news that killer whales in the Strait of Juan de Fuca are dying of starvation should surprise no one (Killer Whales Disappearing Off Southern B.C. - Oct. 29). Their chief food source is chinook salmon, which marine biologist Alexandra Morton warned recently were in danger of being wiped out by the sea lice transferred by Atlantic salmon in fish farms.
This impending extinction could be avoided, were the government to order fish farming into enclosed tanks on land, as has been recommended by numerous scientific and environmental authorities, numerous times. When the last whale is gone, and the last salmon run fails to return, will B.C. still be "The Best Place on Earth?"
This impending extinction could be avoided, were the government to order fish farming into enclosed tanks on land, as has been recommended by numerous scientific and environmental authorities, numerous times. When the last whale is gone, and the last salmon run fails to return, will B.C. still be "The Best Place on Earth?"
vrijdag 24 oktober 2008
Salvage of fuel truck from ocean floor in whale reserve postponed until spring
The salvage operation aimed at raising potentially hazardous wreckage from the ocean floor in Vancouver Island's ecologically sensitive Robson Bight has been put off until spring, B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner said Friday.
"The federal government's view is that there were significant risks to carrying out this work this fall," he said. "Even at this time of year there can still be a significant number of killer whales in the vicinity."
Logging equipment and machinery, including a tank truck carrying 10,000 litres of fuel, was dumped into the internationally renowned killer whale reserve 290 kilometres northwest of Vancouver on Aug. 20, 2007 when a barge overturned.
The 11 pieces of equipment, which have been examined by underwater cameras, is lying in 350 metres of sea water at the bottom of Johnstone Strait, a major waterway on the northeastern side of Vancouver Island.
Penner said Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the coast guard maintain the whales are known to stay in the area through November, but by that time the weather "is getting bad."
"The consensus is that we should wait for the spring, now, and hope for the better weather that comes in the spring to coincide with the period when there is very little whale activity in that area," he said in a phone interview.
His preference was that the salvage operation go ahead this fall, but he said he is willing to abide with the decision.
"It's a tough call to make," he said. "I would to have liked to see it removed as soon as possible, but we also want to do it at a time when there aren't killer whales there."
"DFO was being particularly cautious," he added.
He also pointed to a recent study indicating the likelihood of metal corrosion leading to the tank truck leaking is less than originally thought.
The analysis, by a UBC engineering professor, concluded that it would take at least two and a half to three years from the date of sinking for the fuel tank to corrode through.
The Robson Bight habitat, also known as the Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve, was established to provide a sanctuary for killer whales and is one of the few areas in the world where they are known to drive themselves out of the sea onto so-called "rubbing beaches."
It includes 467 hectares of upland and 1248 hectares of foreshore.
Numerous charges have been laid against the master of the tug boat, the barge owners, and the logging contractor and equipment owner, Vancouver Island-based Ted LeRoy Trucking Ltd.
Last month a Dutch company with a partner in based in Seattle, Wa., was awarded the salvage contract by the B.C. environment ministry.
"The federal government's view is that there were significant risks to carrying out this work this fall," he said. "Even at this time of year there can still be a significant number of killer whales in the vicinity."
Logging equipment and machinery, including a tank truck carrying 10,000 litres of fuel, was dumped into the internationally renowned killer whale reserve 290 kilometres northwest of Vancouver on Aug. 20, 2007 when a barge overturned.
The 11 pieces of equipment, which have been examined by underwater cameras, is lying in 350 metres of sea water at the bottom of Johnstone Strait, a major waterway on the northeastern side of Vancouver Island.
Penner said Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the coast guard maintain the whales are known to stay in the area through November, but by that time the weather "is getting bad."
"The consensus is that we should wait for the spring, now, and hope for the better weather that comes in the spring to coincide with the period when there is very little whale activity in that area," he said in a phone interview.
His preference was that the salvage operation go ahead this fall, but he said he is willing to abide with the decision.
"It's a tough call to make," he said. "I would to have liked to see it removed as soon as possible, but we also want to do it at a time when there aren't killer whales there."
"DFO was being particularly cautious," he added.
He also pointed to a recent study indicating the likelihood of metal corrosion leading to the tank truck leaking is less than originally thought.
The analysis, by a UBC engineering professor, concluded that it would take at least two and a half to three years from the date of sinking for the fuel tank to corrode through.
The Robson Bight habitat, also known as the Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve, was established to provide a sanctuary for killer whales and is one of the few areas in the world where they are known to drive themselves out of the sea onto so-called "rubbing beaches."
It includes 467 hectares of upland and 1248 hectares of foreshore.
Numerous charges have been laid against the master of the tug boat, the barge owners, and the logging contractor and equipment owner, Vancouver Island-based Ted LeRoy Trucking Ltd.
Last month a Dutch company with a partner in based in Seattle, Wa., was awarded the salvage contract by the B.C. environment ministry.
Puget Sound Orcas Presumed Dead
L-67, “Splash,” a 23-year-old female, has been missing since September. Splash has two living brothers and was the mother of Aurora (L-101), who died over the summer. Her son Luna was the orca who became isolated in Nootka Sound, British Columbia, and died in 2006.
L-111, unnamed female, born August 12, has been missing since late August. She was the daughter of "Marina" (L-47), one of the 19 whales that visited Dyes Inlet in 1997. L-111 is survived by two sisters.
J-11, “Blossom” a 36-year-old female has been missing since July. Blossom has three living offspring: son Blackberry ( J-27); daughter Tsuchi, (J-31); and son Mako, (J-39).
L-21, “Ankh,” a 58-year-old female, was one of the 19 whales that visited Dyes Inlet in 1997. Ankh is the mother of Marina (L-47) and grandmother of L-111, one of the seven who died this summer.
L-101, “Aurora,” a 6-year-old male, was the fourth offspring of Splash, who died in September.
K-7, “Lummi,” a 98-year-old female, was missing when the orcas returned in June. She was one of the oldest whales in K pod. She has a daughter, Georgia (K-11), a granddaughter, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
J-43, 1-year-old unnamed calf, was missing when the whales returned in June. Mother is J-14 (Samish), who has three surviving offspring.
Sources: Orca Network and The Whale Museum
L-111, unnamed female, born August 12, has been missing since late August. She was the daughter of "Marina" (L-47), one of the 19 whales that visited Dyes Inlet in 1997. L-111 is survived by two sisters.
J-11, “Blossom” a 36-year-old female has been missing since July. Blossom has three living offspring: son Blackberry ( J-27); daughter Tsuchi, (J-31); and son Mako, (J-39).
L-21, “Ankh,” a 58-year-old female, was one of the 19 whales that visited Dyes Inlet in 1997. Ankh is the mother of Marina (L-47) and grandmother of L-111, one of the seven who died this summer.
L-101, “Aurora,” a 6-year-old male, was the fourth offspring of Splash, who died in September.
K-7, “Lummi,” a 98-year-old female, was missing when the orcas returned in June. She was one of the oldest whales in K pod. She has a daughter, Georgia (K-11), a granddaughter, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
J-43, 1-year-old unnamed calf, was missing when the whales returned in June. Mother is J-14 (Samish), who has three surviving offspring.
Sources: Orca Network and The Whale Museum
Necropsy Shows Beached Whale was in Good Health
There are new questions tonight surrounding a rare killer whale that beached itself Wednesday on Kauai.
The 18-foot mammal was removed from Brennecke's Beach after scientists made the decision to euthanize it saying it was just too sick to survive back in the water.
The necropsy showed it's a male, not a female, and that its organs were actually in pretty good health, which puzzles scientists since the whale had signs of sickness like exposed ribs and whale lice.
At this point, scientists say there is no smoking gun that says what was wrong. Over 700 pounds of tissue was shipped to Oahu and to labs across the country.
"It was surprising to us that most of the organs looked relatively good with the naked eyes, but of course there's microscopic work that can be done now and quite of bit of diagnostic screening that can be done to look for signs of infection and disease. So we'll have to wait and see," said Dr. Kristi West, assistant professor at HPU.
This was only the third killer whale to ever beach itself in Hawaii.
The HPU scientists say they should be able to tell exactly how old the whale is by examining it's teeth similar to the way you tell the age of a tree by the rings in its trunk.
The 18-foot mammal was removed from Brennecke's Beach after scientists made the decision to euthanize it saying it was just too sick to survive back in the water.
The necropsy showed it's a male, not a female, and that its organs were actually in pretty good health, which puzzles scientists since the whale had signs of sickness like exposed ribs and whale lice.
At this point, scientists say there is no smoking gun that says what was wrong. Over 700 pounds of tissue was shipped to Oahu and to labs across the country.
"It was surprising to us that most of the organs looked relatively good with the naked eyes, but of course there's microscopic work that can be done now and quite of bit of diagnostic screening that can be done to look for signs of infection and disease. So we'll have to wait and see," said Dr. Kristi West, assistant professor at HPU.
This was only the third killer whale to ever beach itself in Hawaii.
The HPU scientists say they should be able to tell exactly how old the whale is by examining it's teeth similar to the way you tell the age of a tree by the rings in its trunk.
donderdag 23 oktober 2008
Seven Puget Sound Orca Deaths Attributed to Lack of Food
Seven Puget Sound killer whales have gone missing this year and are presumed dead, wiping out population gains over the past six years.
A shortage of chinook salmon — the orcas' primary food — may have contributed to the unusual number of deaths, said Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, who keeps track of the individual whales.
"The pattern of their foraging suggests that there hasn't been much to eat out there," Balcomb said, adding that the disappearance of two females of reproductive age is most surprising.
The annual census of the three Puget Sound pods, listed as an endangered species, is officially released in December, but most of the seven have been missing since summer, Balcomb said. L-67, a 22-year-old female named Splash, was showing signs of emaciation before she disappeared in September, he said.
The seven include L-111, a calf born in August and not yet listed in the official count.
Including K-42, a calf born in June, the total number of Puget Sound killer whales now stands at 83.
Summer is usually prime feeding time for the orcas, as chinook salmon move through the San Juan Islands. Balcomb said he became concerned about the whales' pattern of foraging soon after they returned to the islands in June.
In good years, he said, the whales group closely together, socializing and finding food when they need it. This year, the whales were spread out and seemed to be searching far and wide.
Puget Sound orcas normally move into Central and South Puget Sound in the fall, switching their diet from chinook to chum salmon. While the chum runs are now under way, the whales appear to have moved out into the ocean. Balcomb said he expects the animals to return, and he hopes they find an adequate supply of chum before winter arrives.
It could be a tough winter for the animals if they aren't able to increase their body mass, he said.
"When they come back next spring," he said, "I think we will see fewer whales."
Balcomb contends that if the Puget Sound orcas are to survive, they need more chinook salmon. He has called for a moratorium on all fishing that takes chinook — sport, tribal and commercial — from Puget Sound to the West Coast. That would include parts of Canada and Northern California, where salmon fishing was so poor it was declared a disaster this year.
"This idea doesn't sell very well," Balcomb said, "but it is what is required."
Brad Hanson, a marine mammal biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said a high level of mortality can be expected in very young whales, and it is not surprising when old animals die. But when reproductive females disappear, it raises all kinds of questions, he said.
Hanson and others have been trying to figure out which particular runs of salmon the orcas are eating by going out in a boat, watching the whales take a fish and then collecting fish scales and tissue. He also collects fecal samples of the whales and occasionally takes a biopsy of their blubber.
Informed that Splash appeared to be in poor physical condition, Hanson was able to take samples about two weeks before she died. Those fecal and tissue samples will be analyzed to see if she may have been suffering from a disease, he said.
One sign of malnutrition in an orca is the appearance of a depression behind the blow hole. Because of its appearance, the condition is called "peanut head."
Hanson said he can't be sure if Splash developed "peanut head" because she couldn't find food, was weakened by disease or a combination of the two.
Losing reproductive females in a population like this makes it that much more difficult to rebuild the numbers to safe levels, he said. Whereas the number of calves surviving in recent years has been high, this year's losses include young, old and middle-aged animals.
Hanson said he will continue his studies when the whales return to Puget Sound, and he will be on the lookout for "peanut head" the remainder of this year.
Historically, Puget Sound's orcas probably numbered between 100 and 200 animals, experts say. During captures for marine parks, their numbers dropped to 71 by 1976, when Balcomb started his official census. Since then, the population has gone in cycles: up to 83 in 1980; down to 74 in 1984; up to 97 in 1996; down to 78 in 2001; up to 90 in 2004; and now down to 83.
A shortage of chinook salmon — the orcas' primary food — may have contributed to the unusual number of deaths, said Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research, who keeps track of the individual whales.
"The pattern of their foraging suggests that there hasn't been much to eat out there," Balcomb said, adding that the disappearance of two females of reproductive age is most surprising.
The annual census of the three Puget Sound pods, listed as an endangered species, is officially released in December, but most of the seven have been missing since summer, Balcomb said. L-67, a 22-year-old female named Splash, was showing signs of emaciation before she disappeared in September, he said.
The seven include L-111, a calf born in August and not yet listed in the official count.
Including K-42, a calf born in June, the total number of Puget Sound killer whales now stands at 83.
Summer is usually prime feeding time for the orcas, as chinook salmon move through the San Juan Islands. Balcomb said he became concerned about the whales' pattern of foraging soon after they returned to the islands in June.
In good years, he said, the whales group closely together, socializing and finding food when they need it. This year, the whales were spread out and seemed to be searching far and wide.
Puget Sound orcas normally move into Central and South Puget Sound in the fall, switching their diet from chinook to chum salmon. While the chum runs are now under way, the whales appear to have moved out into the ocean. Balcomb said he expects the animals to return, and he hopes they find an adequate supply of chum before winter arrives.
It could be a tough winter for the animals if they aren't able to increase their body mass, he said.
"When they come back next spring," he said, "I think we will see fewer whales."
Balcomb contends that if the Puget Sound orcas are to survive, they need more chinook salmon. He has called for a moratorium on all fishing that takes chinook — sport, tribal and commercial — from Puget Sound to the West Coast. That would include parts of Canada and Northern California, where salmon fishing was so poor it was declared a disaster this year.
"This idea doesn't sell very well," Balcomb said, "but it is what is required."
Brad Hanson, a marine mammal biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said a high level of mortality can be expected in very young whales, and it is not surprising when old animals die. But when reproductive females disappear, it raises all kinds of questions, he said.
Hanson and others have been trying to figure out which particular runs of salmon the orcas are eating by going out in a boat, watching the whales take a fish and then collecting fish scales and tissue. He also collects fecal samples of the whales and occasionally takes a biopsy of their blubber.
Informed that Splash appeared to be in poor physical condition, Hanson was able to take samples about two weeks before she died. Those fecal and tissue samples will be analyzed to see if she may have been suffering from a disease, he said.
One sign of malnutrition in an orca is the appearance of a depression behind the blow hole. Because of its appearance, the condition is called "peanut head."
Hanson said he can't be sure if Splash developed "peanut head" because she couldn't find food, was weakened by disease or a combination of the two.
Losing reproductive females in a population like this makes it that much more difficult to rebuild the numbers to safe levels, he said. Whereas the number of calves surviving in recent years has been high, this year's losses include young, old and middle-aged animals.
Hanson said he will continue his studies when the whales return to Puget Sound, and he will be on the lookout for "peanut head" the remainder of this year.
Historically, Puget Sound's orcas probably numbered between 100 and 200 animals, experts say. During captures for marine parks, their numbers dropped to 71 by 1976, when Balcomb started his official census. Since then, the population has gone in cycles: up to 83 in 1980; down to 74 in 1984; up to 97 in 1996; down to 78 in 2001; up to 90 in 2004; and now down to 83.
Researchers hope to study more about killer whales in our ocean
Not a lot is known about Hawaii's resident killer whale population, but this latest encounter with an orca will help researchers learn more about their lives.
Whales, washing up at the beach, doesn't happen very often.
And killer whales are an extremely rare sight on our shores.
In fact, there have only been two other cases reported.
"One in 2004, and one in 1950 off the Big Island," said Dr. Michelle Yuen, a NOAA biologist.
The latest, a female estimated to be between 5 and 15 years old, was first spotted last night.
And she was in bad shape as she flopped around in the shallow waters.
"It was emaciated, several ribs could be seen, shark injuries and lice an indicator of poor health."
While many of us have never even heard about or seen a killer whale in our waters, there is a population of about 250 orcas that call Hawaii home.
Fishermen and scientists have spotted them over the past 15 years.
"They're fairly common now, about 1-6 sightings a year if you count fisherman and diver operators," said Dr. Joe Mobley, a UH shark researcher. "So they are not as rare as we once thought they were."
Because these mammals are rarely seen, even by researchers, this death could be beneficial to the scientific community. An animal autopsy is planned and will give them a chance to learn more about Hawaii's killer whales.
"Strandings are an indication of ocean health, they tell us a lot of what is going on in the open ocean that we can't tell. It's very important to document population and documenting health of group and observation to confirm species resides in Hawaiian waters."
While you may be concerned, killer whales are in our waters, there have not been any documented cases of these predators attacking humans in the wild.
Whales, washing up at the beach, doesn't happen very often.
And killer whales are an extremely rare sight on our shores.
In fact, there have only been two other cases reported.
"One in 2004, and one in 1950 off the Big Island," said Dr. Michelle Yuen, a NOAA biologist.
The latest, a female estimated to be between 5 and 15 years old, was first spotted last night.
And she was in bad shape as she flopped around in the shallow waters.
"It was emaciated, several ribs could be seen, shark injuries and lice an indicator of poor health."
While many of us have never even heard about or seen a killer whale in our waters, there is a population of about 250 orcas that call Hawaii home.
Fishermen and scientists have spotted them over the past 15 years.
"They're fairly common now, about 1-6 sightings a year if you count fisherman and diver operators," said Dr. Joe Mobley, a UH shark researcher. "So they are not as rare as we once thought they were."
Because these mammals are rarely seen, even by researchers, this death could be beneficial to the scientific community. An animal autopsy is planned and will give them a chance to learn more about Hawaii's killer whales.
"Strandings are an indication of ocean health, they tell us a lot of what is going on in the open ocean that we can't tell. It's very important to document population and documenting health of group and observation to confirm species resides in Hawaiian waters."
While you may be concerned, killer whales are in our waters, there have not been any documented cases of these predators attacking humans in the wild.
Ailing killer whale put to death
Federal wildlife officials euthanized a sick killer whale after it washed ashore at Brennecke's Beach on Kauai.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokeswoman Wende Goo says the 18-foot-long female was emaciated and had shark bites, as well as whale lice. She says they are signs the orca had been sick for some time.
Goo says a Hawaiian cultural practitioner conducted rites Wednesday for the animal before it was killed.
A necropsy is to be performed to determine what was ailing the whale.
The animal washed ashore early Wednesday, attracting about 500 people.
John Boulay is a manager at Brennecke's Beach Broiler. He says people tried to push the whale back into the ocean, but it kept washing back.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokeswoman Wende Goo says the 18-foot-long female was emaciated and had shark bites, as well as whale lice. She says they are signs the orca had been sick for some time.
Goo says a Hawaiian cultural practitioner conducted rites Wednesday for the animal before it was killed.
A necropsy is to be performed to determine what was ailing the whale.
The animal washed ashore early Wednesday, attracting about 500 people.
John Boulay is a manager at Brennecke's Beach Broiler. He says people tried to push the whale back into the ocean, but it kept washing back.
donderdag 16 oktober 2008
Group of 200 killer whales off Scotland
Scientists researching the abundance of orcas in Shetland's waters have spotted the largest group so far with up to 200 sighted, 50 miles east of the isles.
Dr Andy Foote, from the University of Aberdeen, and his colleague, Harriet Bolt, took the photograph during a week aboard the Shetland pelagic trawler Adenia while at the mackerel fishery.
Robb Lott, from the policy team at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said such large groups of orcas were very rare. "For UK waters, I would say it's unprecedented. I would love to have had the opportunity of seeing them. It sounds incredible."
He thought it likely the creatures were following a migration of herring, on which they feed. But Mr Lott did not think they would remain off Scotland's coast for very long. "These animals are capable of easily covering 100km a day," he said.
Dr Foote was following up a visit to Shetland during the summer to record killer whales regularly seen in coastal waters in order to identify individual animals as part of an ongoing study that now has 25 mammals listed.
Killer whales feed on mackerel in offshore waters and researchers hoped that they might be able to recognise some of those recorded in the summer on their latest trip to the area.
"None of these individuals match with the individuals seen in inshore Shetland waters during the summer and it seems likely that these are two distinct populations," Dr Foote said.
He said that their recent trip proved there were "a lot of whales out there", but scientists could not tell if populations were growing as their research project had been going for only two years.
"Working from the fishing boat is the only way to reach these whales in pelagic waters. They appear from nowhere when the net is being hauled in and disappear into the ether again, once the fishermen have finished.
"We would just never be able to find them in such a large expanse any other way. The cost of such research would also be prohibitive due to rising fuel costs," he added.
Mr Foote praised the hospitality of the Adenia's crew whom he said "give us all our board and food for free". Both parties plan to continue their successful collaboration in the future.
Dr Andy Foote, from the University of Aberdeen, and his colleague, Harriet Bolt, took the photograph during a week aboard the Shetland pelagic trawler Adenia while at the mackerel fishery.
Robb Lott, from the policy team at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said such large groups of orcas were very rare. "For UK waters, I would say it's unprecedented. I would love to have had the opportunity of seeing them. It sounds incredible."
He thought it likely the creatures were following a migration of herring, on which they feed. But Mr Lott did not think they would remain off Scotland's coast for very long. "These animals are capable of easily covering 100km a day," he said.
Dr Foote was following up a visit to Shetland during the summer to record killer whales regularly seen in coastal waters in order to identify individual animals as part of an ongoing study that now has 25 mammals listed.
Killer whales feed on mackerel in offshore waters and researchers hoped that they might be able to recognise some of those recorded in the summer on their latest trip to the area.
"None of these individuals match with the individuals seen in inshore Shetland waters during the summer and it seems likely that these are two distinct populations," Dr Foote said.
He said that their recent trip proved there were "a lot of whales out there", but scientists could not tell if populations were growing as their research project had been going for only two years.
"Working from the fishing boat is the only way to reach these whales in pelagic waters. They appear from nowhere when the net is being hauled in and disappear into the ether again, once the fishermen have finished.
"We would just never be able to find them in such a large expanse any other way. The cost of such research would also be prohibitive due to rising fuel costs," he added.
Mr Foote praised the hospitality of the Adenia's crew whom he said "give us all our board and food for free". Both parties plan to continue their successful collaboration in the future.
woensdag 15 oktober 2008
Could killer whales be returning to the Solent?
THE Solent seal colony had better be on the lookout because the oceans’ ultimate predator could be returning to our waters.
Killer whales – normally found in Scotland’s cooler waters – are increasingly being found off the south coast of England.
Scientists believe the black and white creatures, also known as orcas, are being lured by recovering fish stocks and say they could be lurking in the English Channel.
So far this year they have been recorded as far south as the Isles of Scilly and off the Kent coast in Folkestone.
Marine biologist Andy Foote, from the University of Aberdeen, is monitoring Britain’s killer whale population.
He said killer whale sightings in the Solent were frequent in the first half of the last century and one had even been harpooned in the River Itchen.
“They are pretty adaptable, as a species they are doing quite well and are found from pole to pole and everywhere in between. This is because they are very innovative and are able to come up with new hunting strategies,” Mr Foote said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they go through the English Channel occasionally, but I don’t imagine it is a common occurrence.”
Killer whales have no predator, apart from humans, and tend to feed on herring, mackerel or large sea mammals, Mr Foote added.
“There is certainly reports of killer whales off Cornwall and they tend to follow basking sharks and there are certainly basking sharks in the Solent, so it is definitely not out of the question,” he said.
“It would be a rare event, but I would not be surprised if one or two killer whales did go through there during the year.”
In August, a bottlenose whale that had become stranded on a mudflat in Langstone Harbour, near Portsmouth, was put down after an unsuccessful rescue attempt.
Jolyon Chesworth, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said there had been no sightings of killer whales in our waters.
Killer whales – normally found in Scotland’s cooler waters – are increasingly being found off the south coast of England.
Scientists believe the black and white creatures, also known as orcas, are being lured by recovering fish stocks and say they could be lurking in the English Channel.
So far this year they have been recorded as far south as the Isles of Scilly and off the Kent coast in Folkestone.
Marine biologist Andy Foote, from the University of Aberdeen, is monitoring Britain’s killer whale population.
He said killer whale sightings in the Solent were frequent in the first half of the last century and one had even been harpooned in the River Itchen.
“They are pretty adaptable, as a species they are doing quite well and are found from pole to pole and everywhere in between. This is because they are very innovative and are able to come up with new hunting strategies,” Mr Foote said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they go through the English Channel occasionally, but I don’t imagine it is a common occurrence.”
Killer whales have no predator, apart from humans, and tend to feed on herring, mackerel or large sea mammals, Mr Foote added.
“There is certainly reports of killer whales off Cornwall and they tend to follow basking sharks and there are certainly basking sharks in the Solent, so it is definitely not out of the question,” he said.
“It would be a rare event, but I would not be surprised if one or two killer whales did go through there during the year.”
In August, a bottlenose whale that had become stranded on a mudflat in Langstone Harbour, near Portsmouth, was put down after an unsuccessful rescue attempt.
Jolyon Chesworth, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said there had been no sightings of killer whales in our waters.
dinsdag 14 oktober 2008
Killer Whales need protection
The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) was hit with a lawsuit last week by environmental groups from across Canada.
Filed by lawyers with Ecojustice, the lawsuit alleges that DFO has failed to legally protect critical habitat of B.C.’s most iconic marine mammals: the endangered Southern Resident and threatened Northern Resident Killer Whales. On September 10, 2008, without consulting killer whale scientists, DFO declined to issue an Order under SARA to protect the Resident Killer Whales’ critical habitat from destruction.
“This is the first lawsuit ever of its kind in Canada,” said Lara Tessaro, staff lawyer at Ecojustice. “We hope to force the federal government to legally protect the critical habitat of endangered species - like the Southern Resident Killer Whales.”
Frustrated by the federal government’s failure to take steps under SARA to protect the orcas, the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, Greenpeace Canada, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Raincoast Conservation Society and the Wilderness Committee have turned to the courts as a last resort. “DFO’s decision not to protect critical habitat of Resident Killer Whale is symptomatic of the federal government’s widespread failure to implement the Species at Risk Act,” said Gwen Barlee, policy director of the Wilderness Committee, adding “B.C.’s endangered species deserve better.”
Bill Wareham, senior marine conservation specialist at the David Suzuki Foundation, explained “To truly protect killer whales’ critical habitat, Canada needs to legally protect areas that serve the Killer Whales’ basic needs for food and rest” Killer Whales face many serious threats throughout their habitat on the west coast.
Filed by lawyers with Ecojustice, the lawsuit alleges that DFO has failed to legally protect critical habitat of B.C.’s most iconic marine mammals: the endangered Southern Resident and threatened Northern Resident Killer Whales. On September 10, 2008, without consulting killer whale scientists, DFO declined to issue an Order under SARA to protect the Resident Killer Whales’ critical habitat from destruction.
“This is the first lawsuit ever of its kind in Canada,” said Lara Tessaro, staff lawyer at Ecojustice. “We hope to force the federal government to legally protect the critical habitat of endangered species - like the Southern Resident Killer Whales.”
Frustrated by the federal government’s failure to take steps under SARA to protect the orcas, the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, Greenpeace Canada, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Raincoast Conservation Society and the Wilderness Committee have turned to the courts as a last resort. “DFO’s decision not to protect critical habitat of Resident Killer Whale is symptomatic of the federal government’s widespread failure to implement the Species at Risk Act,” said Gwen Barlee, policy director of the Wilderness Committee, adding “B.C.’s endangered species deserve better.”
Bill Wareham, senior marine conservation specialist at the David Suzuki Foundation, explained “To truly protect killer whales’ critical habitat, Canada needs to legally protect areas that serve the Killer Whales’ basic needs for food and rest” Killer Whales face many serious threats throughout their habitat on the west coast.
maandag 13 oktober 2008
Lummi, whale advocates pay tribute to oldest orca
The Ohileq-sen Canoe Family from the Lummi Nation led a tribute Sept. 26 for K7, a Southern Resident killer whale that did not return with her pod this year.
The Center for Whale Research estimates the whale was born in 1910, making her the oldest of the estimated 87 orcas that frequent the straits and sounds around the San Juan Islands. K7 was given the name “Lummi” through The Whale Museum’s Orca Adoption Program, in honor of the first people of the San Juan Islands.
Lummi was a great-great-grandmother – the leader of a five-generation subgroup of orcas within K pod. That pod and two others have been declared endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Depleted salmon runs and pollution are considered two main reasons for the precariousness of the whales’ population.
People gathered at Lime Kiln Point State Park lighthouse to celebrate the life of Lummi. “These are songs [she] may have heard in her time,” said James Hillaire, of the Ohileq-sen Canoe Family. “These are songs our ancestors used to sing as they paddled their canoes from village to village in this area.”
Whale advocates shared stories of the life of Lummi. Local artist Jocelyn Russell donated an original painting of Lummi to be auctioned off at the event.
The Center for Whale Research estimates the whale was born in 1910, making her the oldest of the estimated 87 orcas that frequent the straits and sounds around the San Juan Islands. K7 was given the name “Lummi” through The Whale Museum’s Orca Adoption Program, in honor of the first people of the San Juan Islands.
Lummi was a great-great-grandmother – the leader of a five-generation subgroup of orcas within K pod. That pod and two others have been declared endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Depleted salmon runs and pollution are considered two main reasons for the precariousness of the whales’ population.
People gathered at Lime Kiln Point State Park lighthouse to celebrate the life of Lummi. “These are songs [she] may have heard in her time,” said James Hillaire, of the Ohileq-sen Canoe Family. “These are songs our ancestors used to sing as they paddled their canoes from village to village in this area.”
Whale advocates shared stories of the life of Lummi. Local artist Jocelyn Russell donated an original painting of Lummi to be auctioned off at the event.
zaterdag 11 oktober 2008
Sightings of killer whales in British waters rising
They are the oceans' ultimate predators, capable even of feasting on great white sharks.
Now killer whales, which are normally associated with the colder seas around the poles, are being found increasingly in UK waters. Scientists believe the creatures are being attracted by Britain's recovering fish stocks. Groups of up to 100 have been recorded off the coast by researchers.
Already this year, the creatures, also known as orcas, have been recorded as far south as the Isles of Scilly, and in the English Channel, off Folkestone. Other sightings this year have been in the North Sea, off Hartlepool, and in the Irish Sea, off the Welsh coast.
As well as eating fish, killer whales regularly hunt seals. Although attacks on humans are rare, experts warn against getting too close. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the Sea Mammals Research Unit, at St Andrews, are currently monitoring the population off Scotland, to test theories that the increase in sightings is down to a growth in numbers, and not simply better recording.
Andy Foote, from the University of Aberdeen, has, this summer, been studying numbers found off the Shetland Islands, where the pods of up to 100 have been seen.
"That sort of sighting does seem to be on the increase," he said. "The killer whales shift their migration and distribution quite drastically. Fish like herring and mackerel seem to be doing pretty well at the moment, and it makes sense for the killer whales to follow them.
"So in areas where you haven't seen killer whales before, all of a sudden, you are starting to see them. You see more up north, but you do get them turning up further south."
Since the 1950s and 1960s, when Britain's fish stocks began to collapse, few killer whales have been seen in UK waters. No records exist for earlier years, but scientists say there is a possibility the creatures were once more abundant. By comparing sightings from this year with photographs taken of killer whales over the past decade, the researchers have established, by using identifying marks on their fins, that the same ones are being seen repeatedly in UK waters.
Mr Foote added: "Until now, very little has been known about them in British waters. They have been considered as being transient and occasional animals that just move through the area. People thought they were very infrequent visitors. The fact that we are seeing the same ones year after year after year shows that that is wrong.
"Already we have highlighted that we have populations which are resident here for long periods of time, coming back to the same place, year after year after year, while some seem to remain all year around. "Having seen them going after seals here, I certainly wouldn't recommend going too close."
Paul Harvey, from the Shetland Biological Records Centre, which is home to Britain's biggest population, said: "We are definitely seeing more. We know we've got the same animals returning and we have some occurring here throughout the winter. It is a relatively recent phenomenon. If you talk to fishermen, they just didn't used to see them. Now, they see them every time they haul their nets.
"Something has gone on, since about the 1990s, when we first started to see more. We don't know how many pods we are dealing with. That is the value of the new research."
Killer whales – actually the largest species of dolphin – are known to occur in all the world's oceans. Those near the Shetland come close to shore to feast on seals.
"They are more exciting to see than other species," Mr Harvey added. "You see more of them out of the water and they are often doing something, like hunting seals. They are really spectacular."
Rob Lott, from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said: "The north of the country has become a stronghold but they do turn up all around the UK. They are opportunistic and their distribution is driven by the prey available to them."
As well as fish and seals, killer whales will also feed on sharks, including great whites, and even other species of whale, including the blue whale – the world's largest animal. They can swim at speeds of up to 30mph and hunt in packs. They grow up to 30ft long and live up to 35 years. Adults eat around four per cent of their body weight each day, while young whales eat up to ten per cent.
Now killer whales, which are normally associated with the colder seas around the poles, are being found increasingly in UK waters. Scientists believe the creatures are being attracted by Britain's recovering fish stocks. Groups of up to 100 have been recorded off the coast by researchers.
Already this year, the creatures, also known as orcas, have been recorded as far south as the Isles of Scilly, and in the English Channel, off Folkestone. Other sightings this year have been in the North Sea, off Hartlepool, and in the Irish Sea, off the Welsh coast.
As well as eating fish, killer whales regularly hunt seals. Although attacks on humans are rare, experts warn against getting too close. Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the Sea Mammals Research Unit, at St Andrews, are currently monitoring the population off Scotland, to test theories that the increase in sightings is down to a growth in numbers, and not simply better recording.
Andy Foote, from the University of Aberdeen, has, this summer, been studying numbers found off the Shetland Islands, where the pods of up to 100 have been seen.
"That sort of sighting does seem to be on the increase," he said. "The killer whales shift their migration and distribution quite drastically. Fish like herring and mackerel seem to be doing pretty well at the moment, and it makes sense for the killer whales to follow them.
"So in areas where you haven't seen killer whales before, all of a sudden, you are starting to see them. You see more up north, but you do get them turning up further south."
Since the 1950s and 1960s, when Britain's fish stocks began to collapse, few killer whales have been seen in UK waters. No records exist for earlier years, but scientists say there is a possibility the creatures were once more abundant. By comparing sightings from this year with photographs taken of killer whales over the past decade, the researchers have established, by using identifying marks on their fins, that the same ones are being seen repeatedly in UK waters.
Mr Foote added: "Until now, very little has been known about them in British waters. They have been considered as being transient and occasional animals that just move through the area. People thought they were very infrequent visitors. The fact that we are seeing the same ones year after year after year shows that that is wrong.
"Already we have highlighted that we have populations which are resident here for long periods of time, coming back to the same place, year after year after year, while some seem to remain all year around. "Having seen them going after seals here, I certainly wouldn't recommend going too close."
Paul Harvey, from the Shetland Biological Records Centre, which is home to Britain's biggest population, said: "We are definitely seeing more. We know we've got the same animals returning and we have some occurring here throughout the winter. It is a relatively recent phenomenon. If you talk to fishermen, they just didn't used to see them. Now, they see them every time they haul their nets.
"Something has gone on, since about the 1990s, when we first started to see more. We don't know how many pods we are dealing with. That is the value of the new research."
Killer whales – actually the largest species of dolphin – are known to occur in all the world's oceans. Those near the Shetland come close to shore to feast on seals.
"They are more exciting to see than other species," Mr Harvey added. "You see more of them out of the water and they are often doing something, like hunting seals. They are really spectacular."
Rob Lott, from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said: "The north of the country has become a stronghold but they do turn up all around the UK. They are opportunistic and their distribution is driven by the prey available to them."
As well as fish and seals, killer whales will also feed on sharks, including great whites, and even other species of whale, including the blue whale – the world's largest animal. They can swim at speeds of up to 30mph and hunt in packs. They grow up to 30ft long and live up to 35 years. Adults eat around four per cent of their body weight each day, while young whales eat up to ten per cent.
donderdag 9 oktober 2008
Killer whales and dolphins move in as bay fish dwindle
KILLER whales and ocean-dwelling dolphins are increasingly venturing into Port Phillip Bay, despite fish stocks hitting record lows in some places.
A survey by the Department of Primary Industries suggest a long-term decline for fish species, with two sections of the bay of particular concern.
The survey revealed record low biomass levels for fish in the deep centre of the bay and western waters near Geelong.
By measuring the catch in tonnes, the annual trawl provides an indication of population levels in the bay for bottom-dwelling fish such as flathead.
Despite the study revealing record lows, the department said the results were within "expected variability" and not significantly different from previous years.
But Australian Conservation Foundation spokesman Chris Smyth expressed concern that an all-time low was portrayed as being within an acceptable range of variability.
"Anyone who loves Port Phillip Bay will be shocked by this collapse in the bay's fish biomass," Mr Smyth said.
"The community should be deeply disturbed at the lack of port and government agency response and action."
Department spokesman Peter Appleford defended the method of reporting, saying the results represented the continuation of a trend.
He said while bottom-dwelling species were under pressure, others such as whiting and gummy shark were thriving.
The decline in fish stocks comes as dolphin experts report "an extraordinary influx" of dolphin species that traditionally live in ocean waters outside the bay. Dolphin Research Institute executive director Jeff Weir said ocean dolphins had been hunting and reproducing inside the bay near Frankston in the winter months.
The bay has traditionally been the exclusive domain of another species of dolphin believed to exist only in the bay and the Gippsland Lakes.
Mr Weir said there was no indication that dredging was harming dolphin numbers, and sightings of killer whales inside the bay had also risen sharply.
"They have been observed feeding on salmon in the bay and in winter time they follow the pattern with the southern right whales because they like to feed on the calves," he said.
Monash University dolphin expert Kate Charlton said the influx of ocean dolphins and killer whales was in contrast to the time she started researching the bay 10 years ago.
"We are having more and more sightings of killer whales … we've had killer whales as high up as Dromana and Mount Martha," she said.
A survey by the Department of Primary Industries suggest a long-term decline for fish species, with two sections of the bay of particular concern.
The survey revealed record low biomass levels for fish in the deep centre of the bay and western waters near Geelong.
By measuring the catch in tonnes, the annual trawl provides an indication of population levels in the bay for bottom-dwelling fish such as flathead.
Despite the study revealing record lows, the department said the results were within "expected variability" and not significantly different from previous years.
But Australian Conservation Foundation spokesman Chris Smyth expressed concern that an all-time low was portrayed as being within an acceptable range of variability.
"Anyone who loves Port Phillip Bay will be shocked by this collapse in the bay's fish biomass," Mr Smyth said.
"The community should be deeply disturbed at the lack of port and government agency response and action."
Department spokesman Peter Appleford defended the method of reporting, saying the results represented the continuation of a trend.
He said while bottom-dwelling species were under pressure, others such as whiting and gummy shark were thriving.
The decline in fish stocks comes as dolphin experts report "an extraordinary influx" of dolphin species that traditionally live in ocean waters outside the bay. Dolphin Research Institute executive director Jeff Weir said ocean dolphins had been hunting and reproducing inside the bay near Frankston in the winter months.
The bay has traditionally been the exclusive domain of another species of dolphin believed to exist only in the bay and the Gippsland Lakes.
Mr Weir said there was no indication that dredging was harming dolphin numbers, and sightings of killer whales inside the bay had also risen sharply.
"They have been observed feeding on salmon in the bay and in winter time they follow the pattern with the southern right whales because they like to feed on the calves," he said.
Monash University dolphin expert Kate Charlton said the influx of ocean dolphins and killer whales was in contrast to the time she started researching the bay 10 years ago.
"We are having more and more sightings of killer whales … we've had killer whales as high up as Dromana and Mount Martha," she said.
Killer whales off southern B.C. face extinction, experts warn
Killer whales in southern B.C. waters could be extinct in as little as a century if things don't change, experts said Wednesday.
Only 87 resident killer whales live in southern B.C. waters, after a 20-per-cent decline between 1993 and 2003. About 240 northern resident killer whales are also threatened.
"For most species a population reduced to 87... they'd be toast. We wouldn't even be considering recovery as a viable possibility," said Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard, an international expert on killer whales.
But, he said, whales have built-in mechanisms that discourage inbreeding and its population could conceivably still recover, although "every death is critical."
Barrett-Lennard is co-chairman of the Resident Killer Whale Recovery Team. The organization worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to produce a killer whale recovery strategy, finalized in March.
To protect killer whales, eight leading environmentalist groups, including the David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, alleging it has failed to protect whale habitat.
"We have a federal government that's reluctant to apply the Species at Risk Act to actually protect and recover endangered species in this country," said Gwen Barlee of the Wilderness Committee.
"B.C.'s endangered species deserve better."
The lawsuit is the first to be filed under Section 58 of the act, which prohibits the destruction of an endangered species' habitat, said Lara Tessaro, a lawyer with Ecojustice, formerly the Sierra Legal Defence Fund.
"The consequences of this kind of lawsuit, if successful, is that the federal government would be required to sit down and create marine protected areas," she said.
The environmentalist groups say the orcas' population decline is due to threats to their habitat, including a sharp decline in salmon stocks, increased boat and tanker traffic, toxic contamination, dredging, military sonar tests and seismic tests.
Recently, scientists monitoring whales off southern Vancouver Island reported the whales have less blubber -- a sign they are having difficulty finding food.
Last month, the DFO issued a two-page statement claiming the orcas' habitat is already protected by legislation and guidelines.
But the groups said the legislation is too broad and the guidelines are without teeth.
They want the government to take specific steps to protect the animals, such as banning vessel traffic and military sonar tests in specific areas like Robson Bight, and restricting commercial fishing to make sure whales have sufficient food.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans did not return calls.
Only 87 resident killer whales live in southern B.C. waters, after a 20-per-cent decline between 1993 and 2003. About 240 northern resident killer whales are also threatened.
"For most species a population reduced to 87... they'd be toast. We wouldn't even be considering recovery as a viable possibility," said Dr. Lance Barrett-Lennard, an international expert on killer whales.
But, he said, whales have built-in mechanisms that discourage inbreeding and its population could conceivably still recover, although "every death is critical."
Barrett-Lennard is co-chairman of the Resident Killer Whale Recovery Team. The organization worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to produce a killer whale recovery strategy, finalized in March.
To protect killer whales, eight leading environmentalist groups, including the David Suzuki Foundation, Greenpeace and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court against the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, alleging it has failed to protect whale habitat.
"We have a federal government that's reluctant to apply the Species at Risk Act to actually protect and recover endangered species in this country," said Gwen Barlee of the Wilderness Committee.
"B.C.'s endangered species deserve better."
The lawsuit is the first to be filed under Section 58 of the act, which prohibits the destruction of an endangered species' habitat, said Lara Tessaro, a lawyer with Ecojustice, formerly the Sierra Legal Defence Fund.
"The consequences of this kind of lawsuit, if successful, is that the federal government would be required to sit down and create marine protected areas," she said.
The environmentalist groups say the orcas' population decline is due to threats to their habitat, including a sharp decline in salmon stocks, increased boat and tanker traffic, toxic contamination, dredging, military sonar tests and seismic tests.
Recently, scientists monitoring whales off southern Vancouver Island reported the whales have less blubber -- a sign they are having difficulty finding food.
Last month, the DFO issued a two-page statement claiming the orcas' habitat is already protected by legislation and guidelines.
But the groups said the legislation is too broad and the guidelines are without teeth.
They want the government to take specific steps to protect the animals, such as banning vessel traffic and military sonar tests in specific areas like Robson Bight, and restricting commercial fishing to make sure whales have sufficient food.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans did not return calls.
Focus on one of the world's greatest predators
IT IS a dramatic sight few are lucky enough to witness – a spectacular display of raw power from one of nature's most deadly predators.
But for wildlife photographer Rolf Hicker, who has spent the past 15 years photographing the 80 resident orcas off the coast of Vancouver in Canada, it has become almost commonplace.
So much so that Hicker has developed a close understanding of the magnificent creatures enabling him to capture these dramatic shots.
His pictures provide such a detailed document of the killer whales' behaviour they have been used by researchers studying the creatures.
"There is hardly anything more beautiful than experiencing the whales in a small boat and the engine off," he said.
"It is incredible to look a whale in its eye when its head emerges from the waves to check us out – amazing."
Hicker said the key to capturing a good photograph of the killer whales is taking time.
"When you are photographing orcas the main thing you need is patience as you have to wait till they approach you," he said.
"In order to get good pictures you need to be always ready, I always have one eye glued on the viewfinder while the other eye is searching for signs like blows or special activities."
The 42-year-old said over time he has learned to be able to predict the next move of the orcas, so he can capture the killer shot.
"My experience helps me to stabilise my body on the always moving boat, experience kicks in to make it easier to predict what the orca's next move would be," he said.
These photographs were taken off northern Vancouver Island, where as well as the resident orcas, transient killer whales can also be seen.
Hicker has come to know the traits of the different types of killer whales.
He said the resident orcas travel in large groups and visit beaches where they rub on pebbles and eat salmon.
Transient orcas arrive occasionally to hunt, and offshore orcas only come near land very rarely.
"When they are seen it is quite a sight and you can see a groups of up to 80 feeding on marine mammals as well as fish and even sharks," said Hicker.
His pictures are used by researchers who study their unique dorsal fins in order to catalogue populations.
"All orcas have unique saddle-patches and dorsal fins – they are catalogued that way, beside their languages which are unique too to each orca family."
FACT BOX
THE orca is also known as the killer whale and is the biggest species of the dolphin family.
Sometimes called the blackfish or seawolf, it lives in all the oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic to warm, tropical seas.
Orcas are not fussy about what they eat, with many feeding mostly on fish and others preferring large sea mammals, such as sea lions and even whales.
Orcas are sociable creatures, with many living in family groups.
They display such sophisticated hunting techniques, social behaviour and vocal sounds that it has been claimed these traits are manifestations of culture.
Killer whales are not endangered as a whole, but some individual populations are threatened due to pollution, depletion of prey species, conflicts with fishing activities and vessels, habitat loss and whaling.
Orcas are not usually a threat to humans, but there have been isolated reports of captive killer whales attacking handlers.
The largest recorded was a male caught off the Japanese coast, measuring 32ft and weighing more than eight tonnes.
But for wildlife photographer Rolf Hicker, who has spent the past 15 years photographing the 80 resident orcas off the coast of Vancouver in Canada, it has become almost commonplace.
So much so that Hicker has developed a close understanding of the magnificent creatures enabling him to capture these dramatic shots.
His pictures provide such a detailed document of the killer whales' behaviour they have been used by researchers studying the creatures.
"There is hardly anything more beautiful than experiencing the whales in a small boat and the engine off," he said.
"It is incredible to look a whale in its eye when its head emerges from the waves to check us out – amazing."
Hicker said the key to capturing a good photograph of the killer whales is taking time.
"When you are photographing orcas the main thing you need is patience as you have to wait till they approach you," he said.
"In order to get good pictures you need to be always ready, I always have one eye glued on the viewfinder while the other eye is searching for signs like blows or special activities."
The 42-year-old said over time he has learned to be able to predict the next move of the orcas, so he can capture the killer shot.
"My experience helps me to stabilise my body on the always moving boat, experience kicks in to make it easier to predict what the orca's next move would be," he said.
These photographs were taken off northern Vancouver Island, where as well as the resident orcas, transient killer whales can also be seen.
Hicker has come to know the traits of the different types of killer whales.
He said the resident orcas travel in large groups and visit beaches where they rub on pebbles and eat salmon.
Transient orcas arrive occasionally to hunt, and offshore orcas only come near land very rarely.
"When they are seen it is quite a sight and you can see a groups of up to 80 feeding on marine mammals as well as fish and even sharks," said Hicker.
His pictures are used by researchers who study their unique dorsal fins in order to catalogue populations.
"All orcas have unique saddle-patches and dorsal fins – they are catalogued that way, beside their languages which are unique too to each orca family."
FACT BOX
THE orca is also known as the killer whale and is the biggest species of the dolphin family.
Sometimes called the blackfish or seawolf, it lives in all the oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic to warm, tropical seas.
Orcas are not fussy about what they eat, with many feeding mostly on fish and others preferring large sea mammals, such as sea lions and even whales.
Orcas are sociable creatures, with many living in family groups.
They display such sophisticated hunting techniques, social behaviour and vocal sounds that it has been claimed these traits are manifestations of culture.
Killer whales are not endangered as a whole, but some individual populations are threatened due to pollution, depletion of prey species, conflicts with fishing activities and vessels, habitat loss and whaling.
Orcas are not usually a threat to humans, but there have been isolated reports of captive killer whales attacking handlers.
The largest recorded was a male caught off the Japanese coast, measuring 32ft and weighing more than eight tonnes.
dinsdag 7 oktober 2008
Killer whales lose blubber, health due to salmon shortage in B.C.
Killer whales in the waters off southern Vancouver Island are losing blubber and developing strange behaviour patterns because of a shortage of salmon, say whale experts.
Some endangered southern resident killer whales are developing "peanut heads" because they are not getting enough food, said Howard Garrett of Washington-based Orca Network.
"They are looking sick. There is usually a thick layer of blubber just behind the skull and that seems to be the first place to be drawn from when they need to draw down blubber," he said. "In some of them, there's a dip right behind the blow-hole and, when you see that, you know the whale has been hungry."
The Center for Whale Research is having difficulty finalizing numbers for the three resident pods this year because the whales are so spread out.
Researchers believe there might be some losses, but, tentatively, the number of southern residents is set at about 87.
As the whales search for elusive chinook salmon there are unusual liaisons, Garrett said.
"A small group from L Pod have been travelling with J Pod all summer long and twice J Pod has split into two completely separate groups, out of acoustic range from each other," he said. "It's an indication that they are searching high and low and in every nook and cranny for fish."
Environmental groups are holding a news conference Wednesday in Vancouver to protest the federal government's fisheries policies.
"The announcement marks a tipping point in a two-year battle between the federal government and concerned scientists and environmentalists about the need to protect the orcas from threats to their critical habitat," according to a news release from Ecojustice.
"There are ongoing scientific concerns about conservation of the species, particularly in light of the fact that killer whales are not looking good this year," said Lance Barrett-Lennard, co-chairman of the federal government's Resident Killer Whale Recovery Team.
The recovery team worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to produce a killer whale recovery strategy, which was finalized earlier this year.
Some endangered southern resident killer whales are developing "peanut heads" because they are not getting enough food, said Howard Garrett of Washington-based Orca Network.
"They are looking sick. There is usually a thick layer of blubber just behind the skull and that seems to be the first place to be drawn from when they need to draw down blubber," he said. "In some of them, there's a dip right behind the blow-hole and, when you see that, you know the whale has been hungry."
The Center for Whale Research is having difficulty finalizing numbers for the three resident pods this year because the whales are so spread out.
Researchers believe there might be some losses, but, tentatively, the number of southern residents is set at about 87.
As the whales search for elusive chinook salmon there are unusual liaisons, Garrett said.
"A small group from L Pod have been travelling with J Pod all summer long and twice J Pod has split into two completely separate groups, out of acoustic range from each other," he said. "It's an indication that they are searching high and low and in every nook and cranny for fish."
Environmental groups are holding a news conference Wednesday in Vancouver to protest the federal government's fisheries policies.
"The announcement marks a tipping point in a two-year battle between the federal government and concerned scientists and environmentalists about the need to protect the orcas from threats to their critical habitat," according to a news release from Ecojustice.
"There are ongoing scientific concerns about conservation of the species, particularly in light of the fact that killer whales are not looking good this year," said Lance Barrett-Lennard, co-chairman of the federal government's Resident Killer Whale Recovery Team.
The recovery team worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to produce a killer whale recovery strategy, which was finalized earlier this year.
donderdag 2 oktober 2008
3 Orca pods visit central Puget Sound
The three pods of killer whales that live in Washington's inland waters have made a visit to central Puget Sound.
Howard Garrett of Orca Network, a group that tracks whale sightings, tells the Kitsap Sun that says observers spotted all three pods - a so-called "super pod" - near Kingston on Tuesday morning and in several places off Whidbey Island. The whales usually move south to hunt for salmon each fall, after the chinook salmon runs dwindle in the San Juan Islands.
In typical years, "J" pod, one of the three groups, will spend much of the winter in central and south Puget Sound. "K" and "L" pods normally come and go less often. Sometimes they swim out into the Pacific and along the coast, staying until spring.
Howard Garrett of Orca Network, a group that tracks whale sightings, tells the Kitsap Sun that says observers spotted all three pods - a so-called "super pod" - near Kingston on Tuesday morning and in several places off Whidbey Island. The whales usually move south to hunt for salmon each fall, after the chinook salmon runs dwindle in the San Juan Islands.
In typical years, "J" pod, one of the three groups, will spend much of the winter in central and south Puget Sound. "K" and "L" pods normally come and go less often. Sometimes they swim out into the Pacific and along the coast, staying until spring.
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