A slight increase in sightings of humpback whales has been recorded and more of them are staying in the Powell River area through the year, according to a local whale expert.
Humpbacks are members of the baleen whale family, which includes the largest whale in the oceans, the blue whale. Humpback characteristics include its long pectoral fins, knobby heads and dramatic breaching.
“Currently, we have somewhere between four and six going between Powell River and Savary Island,” said Susan MacKay, founder of Wild Ocean Whale Society, an organization that monitors and posts sightings and behaviour of whales, dolphins and porpoises in the region.
Last year, MacKay said there were five humpbacks sighted in Powell River waters.
“This year, we certainly have more,” she said. “We’ve had a lot more in the area all throughout the summer.”
MacKay said she attributes the presence of the humpbacks to more food being available in the area. While the herring spawn was not great, krill, which are small crustaceans, managed to grow and provide food. The humpback eat krill and other small fish, such as herring and salmon.
Orca whales have also been sighted in the area recently, which MacKay said she believes were transient whales that have been doing a circuit between Campbell River, around Vancouver Island and back to Powell River.
After the recent death near Sechelt of a 18-year-old male orca, known as J34, of the endangered southern resident killer whale population, MacKay said boaters need to be aware and watchful for orcas and humpbacks. J34 was killed by blunt-force trauma to its head and neck.
“Humpbacks tend to rest on the surface,” she said. “Boaters have to pay attention because it is so easy to strike them.”
