{"id":746293,"date":"2026-06-19T02:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T02:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/746293\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T02:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T02:16:13","slug":"more-whales-in-vancouver-researchers-say-we-have-great-grub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/746293\/","title":{"rendered":"More whales in Vancouver? Researchers say we have ‘great grub’"},"content":{"rendered":"

You aren\u2019t seeing things \u2013 there are more whales visiting Vancouver waters and researchers say it is due to the season, \u201cgreat grub,\u201d and conservation successes.<\/p>\n

A new study states that transient killer whales are now seen in the Salish Sea for more than two-thirds of the year, on average.<\/p>\n

Humpback whales have rediscovered an ancestral feeding area and grey whales are making a pit stop during their migration north.<\/p>\n

According to UBC researcher, Taryn Scarff, more transient killer whales are travelling along the Vancouver shoreline. Based on sightings from 2016 to 2023, orcas regularly visit harbours in Vancouver and Victoria to hunt.<\/p>\n

Dr. Andrew Trites, a professor in UBC\u2019s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries (IOF), humpback whales are making a return after commercial whale fishing from 1907 to 1910 eliminated all of them from the area.<\/p>\n

With this elimination, humpback whales had no way to learn of feeding grounds around the coastline. It has taken about a century for them to find their way back.<\/p>\n

A surprise is seeing grey whales.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re seeing grey whales visit, which is unusual \u2013 they\u2019re usually seen along the outer coast of Vancouver Island,\u201d said Trites.<\/p>\n

A major reason for the large showing of whales in the waters off Vancouver is that whales return to B.C. waters to feed after fasting during their winter breeding grounds and migration.<\/p>\n

\u201cBaleen whales such as humpback and grey whales arrive in the Salish Sea focused on rebuilding their energy stores, feeding on the Pacific Northwest\u2019s cold-water prey, which are rich in fats,\u201d said Julia Adelsheim, IOF alumna and whale biologist.<\/p>\n

Vancouver is seeing more killer whales due to the seal and sea lion populations having recovered. They had been heavily culled until the 70s. Now they are \u201ca year-round buffet.\u201d<\/p>\n

More humpback whales are due to a population rebound after most commercial humpback whaling ended in the north pacific in the mid-60s.<\/p>\n

\u201cLarge numbers now return to B.C. waters each summer to feed on krill, herring and other prey. In winter, they migrate to breeding grounds in Hawaii and Mexico. Recovery has been driven mainly by protections from whaling, but conservation measures such as improved fisheries management and efforts to reduce entanglements, underwater noise and ship strikes have also supported their return,\u201d said Trites.<\/p>\n

To keep whales safe is simple says Adelsheim.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive whales space and stay alert. If you\u2019re on the water-whether it\u2019s a boat, kayak or paddleboard-assume a whale could surface nearby. Slowing down and paying attention can make a huge difference in preventing collisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lastly, people need to follow the viewing distance rules.<\/p>\n

Around southern B.C., vessels need to stay at least 200 metres away from most killer whales and 1,000 metres away from endangered southern resident killer whales. Also, people must stay 100 metres from other whales and 200 if they are resting or with a calf.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re unsure, it\u2019s always best to be conservative and keep your distance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA good rule of thumb is: if you see a blow, go slow. Whales can change direction and surface unexpectedly, so giving them extra space helps keep everyone safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n

Add CityNews Vancouver as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n

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