Researching & Protecting Whales

We are devoted to protecting all whales & the environments essential to their survival

Over the past two decades, we have worked to learn all that we can about the lives and needs of whales through dedicated research projects, coast-wide initiatives, and long-term partnerships.

The more we understand about whales, the better we can advocate for positive measures of protection that are rooted in science. Here we unite research, conservation efforts, and public education.

Research

From hydrophones and drone technology to coastal marine and land based surveys, BC Whales conducts comprehensive research and studies the nutritional, acoustic, and social needs of whales. We are grateful for the support of our research partners.

Connect

Our work began over two decades ago with two people, a boat, and the philosophy of immersing to learn. We live among whales in remote regions of the BC coast to understand their unique needs, behaviours, and acoustic traditions.

Protect

Join us in our mission to preserve the natural habitats of our ocean’s most magnificent creatures. Together, we hope to build a future where whales thrive in a healthy and balanced marine environment, ensuring their presence in BC waters for generations to come.

Research Projects & Collaborations

BC Whales conducts research using non-invasive approaches including acoustic monitoring, drones, land-based and coastal marine surveys. Our research spans the entire BC coast from the Great Bear Rainforest to the Salish Sea.

Support BC Whales

Preserve the natural habitats of our oceans most magnificent creatures. With your generous contribution, you directly support crucial research and protection initiatives for whales in British Columbia.

As a Whale Sponsor, you will receive a personalized sponsor certificate, access to migration and audio data as well as a special gift.

Support BC Whales

Preserve the natural habitats of our oceans most magnificent creatures. With your generous contribution, you directly support crucial research and protection initiatives for whales in British Columbia.

Become a one-time donor or make your donation monthly & receive a BC Whales Thank-You Package!

Scientific Papers, Blogs & Media

Jun 09 2025
Scientific Publications

Quantifying vessel noise and acoustic habitat loss in marine soundscapes

Underwater noise pollution from vessels has a substantial impact on whales. For the first time, we have developed a new software/method that allows us to determine how...
Feb 18 2025
Newsletters

Newsletter – Winter 2025

2024 was a pivotal year for all of us at BC Whales. Through dedicated and diverse non-invasive research spanning the north and central coast of BC, we continued our...
Oct 04 2024
Whale Tales

For What’s to Come

Watching this whale continue to sleep peacefully at the surface and having these thoughts of what’s to come running through my mind, I realized that my emotional...
Aug 19 2024
Whale Tales

Arriving with Whales

We arrived cold, wet and tired. It was a 4-hour trip in our open boat from Prince Rupert to our remote whale research station located within the Great Bear Rainforest...
Apr 15 2024
Scientific Publications

Collecting baleen whale blow samples by drone: A minimally intrusive tool for conservation genetics

Collecting exhaled breath condensate, or respiratory ‘blow’ samples, from baleen whales using an unoccupied aerial system (UAS) plays a vital role in informing...
Oct 16 2023
Newsletters

Announcing Whale Sound

Introducing Whale Sound After much anticipation & hard work, WhaleSound.ca is now live. Whale Sound is a collaboration between Indigenous communities and NGOs, who...
Jun 14 2023
Whale Tales

Family Ties

The BC Whales field team hear the A-clan resident orca family in Squally Channel and head to find them.

May 25 2023
Scientific Publications

Ship-Strike Forecast and Mitigation for Whales in Gitga’at First Nation Territory

As marine traffic increases globally, ship strikes have emerged as a primary threat to many baleen whale populations.

Aug 24 2022
Whale Tales

To Wake a Sleeping Whale

In Lewis Passage, the BC Whales team discover a sleeping humpback whale in the path of a large cruise ship.

Jul 13 2022
Scientific Publications

A Simulation-Based Tool for Predicting Whale-Vessel Encounter Rates

To understand the threat of ship strikes for marine predators such as whales, quantitative tools are needed that measure specific impacts without ignoring the many...