Surveys for Grey Whales, Eschrichtius robustus, on the Central Coast of British Columbia and North Coast of Vancouver Island

W M Megill, A J Lewis

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

Abstract

During the summer of 2006, CERF crews conducted twelve surveys of the Central Coast of British Columbia and one of the North Coast of Vancouver Island, documenting the presence (and absence) of grey whales, collecting GPS-localised identification photographs of every whale encountered. Surveys took place during the summer months, spread out between 29 June to 12 September. A total of 106 hours were spent on the water during the surveys (100 near Cape Caution, and 6 near Cape Scott), and a total of 23 grey whales were encountered, all of which were identified from photographs of the pigmentation on their flanks. Of the total 23 whales, all but one had been seen in the study area in previous years. The total numbers were very much less than in previous years, and residency of individual whales was also very limited, particularly in the latter part of the season (after mid July). The low whale numbers are explained by the absence of their primary prey, mysid crustaceans, which were not seen except very briefly in early July.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherCERF
Publication statusPublished - 2007

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