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

For over 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 collaborative non-invasive research spanning the entire coast of British Columbia from the Great Bear Rainforest to the Salish Sea. Learn more about our acoustic monitoring, land-based, and coastal marine surveys research below.

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Support Our Work

Your generous donation directly support our research and conservation efforts.

Media & Publications

  • Published On: November 24, 2019

    Determining marine mammal detection functions for a stationary land-based survey site

    The shore-based survey is a common, non-invasive, and low-cost method in marine mammal science, but its scientific applications are currently limited. Such studies typically target populations whose distributions are not random with respect to nearshore sites and involve repeated scans of the same area from single, stationary platforms.

    Eric M Keen

  • Published On: November 5, 2019

    Whale Snot for Conservation

    Having launched the drone with a petri dish attached to it, we fly the drone through multiple exhales, collecting a fine mist of sticky, clear coloured whale blow within the dish. Crucial at this moment in time is for us to capture a photo of the humpback’s tail fluke as it rolls into view, or of a fin whale’s dorsal fin, as they prepare for a deep dive.

    Éadin O'Mahony

  • Published On: August 29, 2019

    Whales and Drones: A New Perspective

    Within 30 seconds I am standing on the big deck of our little cabin, launching the first of two research drones into the air. I’ve got Eric standing next to me, camera in hand, a second set of eyes on the drone and the humpback whale, maximising our chances of locating it from the air.

    Éadin O'Mahony

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