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BC WHALES | NORTH COAST CETACEAN SOCIETY

A non-profit whale-research organization dedicated to the research and protection of cetaceans along the northern coast of British Columbia.

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We recently hosted the first in person meeting for

We recently hosted the first in person meeting for the BC Hydrophone Network (BCHN) in Victoria, BC. The BCHN is a partnership between 8 Indigenous communities and 4 NGO’s and growing! This was the first time many collaborators were able to meet each other face to face to discuss each partner's ongoing research goals with hydrophones, acoustic monitoring of whale communication and measuring ocean noise. We will continue to share knowledge and brainstorm the best ways forward for acoustic research and how our efforts can inspire whale conservation along the coast of BC. To date the BC Hydrophone Network is comprised of 20 hydrophone stations located in strategic locations along the entire coast of BC, each owned and operated by the partners. For more information about the BC hydrophone Network's work and partners please visit whalesound.ca

#whalesound #whaleresearch

A recent study outlines the importance of Whale Pe

A recent study outlines the importance of Whale Pee on Ocean Ecosystems.

Migrating whales transport tons of nutrients across oceans, fueling ecosystems. Before whaling, this impact was even greater.

For links to the full paper in Nature Communications and the Bright Side of News article, visit our linktree page in the bio.

#humpbackresearch

Happy World Wildlife Day! Our research area within

Happy World Wildlife Day! Our research area within Gitga’at Territory is located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest. In this truly remarkable region on British Columbia’s north coast, towering mountains collide with inlets and islands creating a rich ecosystem home to an abondance of wildlife, and of course, whales. Each year we watch as hundreds of humpback whales return to these rich, cold waters to feed. They share this habitat with fin whales, a species typically relying on offshore open ocean, but uniquely also rely upon these inner fjordic waterways. Orca frequent this region throughout the year, and through our network of hydrophones in Squally Channel, we are able to listen in to their distinct vocalizations as they pass through while foraging and socializing. Our work is focused on understanding the needs of whales and protecting their essential habitats and ecosystems for generations to come. We must remember to treat every day as if it were World Wildlife Day, and look out for all life on our planet, from the smallest algae to the largest whale!

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025 The BC Hydroph

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025

The BC Hydrophone Network (BCHN) is a collaboration between Indigenous communities, dedicated individuals and NGOs seeking to understand whale habitat use and ocean noise levels. The BCHN supports and maintains a unique coast-wide hydrophone network, enabling partners to listen to and record the acoustic tradition of whales coast wide from 20 hydrophone monitoring stations. This project generates acoustic data for research, management, and stewardship purposes to better mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic noise on whales, and to understand the diverse acoustic traditions of whales and the habitats they depend on.

The acoustic information collected from BCHN hydrophones are processed for both noise levels and whale vocalizations, with details surrounding local findings available through each partner’s dashboard. For more information, and to contact partners directly, please visit whalesound.ca

To receive updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at bcwhales.org

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025 We conduct reg

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025

We conduct regular marine abundance surveys throughout the North and Central coast and record the number and types of whales, their behaviours, their locations, as well as all vessels encountered.

NORTH COAST
From our small vessel the Elemiah we undertake various research projects in the protected waterways at the heart of Gitga’at Territory. These include marine mammal abundance transect surveys, opportunistic surveys, drone focal follows, and eDNA sampling. These studies enrich our understanding of the distribution and populations of the whales and other marine mammals that utilize these waters for their survival. In 2025 we will welcome a new and upgraded Vessel to our fleet which will enhance our ability to conduct this vital research

CENTRAL COAST
In partnership with the Heiltsuk and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations, we also conduct these surveys along the Central coast of BC. Working with research partners stationed near Bella Bella, we have been surveying the Central Coast year-round since 2020. In this time, we have documented an increasing population of humpback whales returning to this region and have put together a Central Coast humpback whale catalog which now includes 183 individuals!

To receive updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at bcwhales.org

During a recent interview with CBC Daybreak North,

During a recent interview with CBC Daybreak North, BCWhales Research Manager and drone pilot Grace Baer discussed the ways we are able to utilize drones to broaden our understanding of whales.

This video demonstrates how we collect genetic samples from whales in a non-invasive manor by utilizing drone technology.

The full CBC Daybreak North interview (Grace starts at 52min) can be found through the linktree page in our bio.

Please also take note that this footage was collected with a specialized research permit, and that flying drones over any marine mammal without such a permit is illegal in Canada.

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025 SWAG – Ships

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025

SWAG – Ships, Whales and Acoustics in Gitga’at Territory

In partnership with the Gitga’at First Nation and WWF-Canada, we have installed and actively monitor in real time a 4-hydrophone array in Squally channel. This location was chosen because it represents a region with extremely high whale populations along a proposed LNG tanker route. In 2025 LNG tankers will begin to transit these waters for the first time.

When a whale is vocal, we are not only able to listen live and record its vocalization, but if the call is picked up on at least 3 of the hydrophones we can triangulate the location of that whale. Over time we are able to track underwater whale trails with this technique. This incredibly valuable tool has been developed and tested over the past 5 years and will be vital in mitigating the risks of shipping activity in the area.

To receive updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at bcwhales.org

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025 Understanding

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025

Understanding Genetics�The advancements in science have opened a whole new world in understanding whales. It is now possible to determine the sex and family connections between whales by collecting and analyzing their DNA though non-invasive methods.

eDNA
Every living being leaves behind their genetic trace as they move through water. By simply collecting sea water, we are able to filter out the “environmental DNA” - giving us insights into which species have been present in each area. eDNA is helping us better understand whale hotspots, and the impacts of climate change.

BLOW SAMPLING
By attaching petri dishes to our drones, we can fly through whale blow and collect a small sample of whale snot, which is full of DNA. This sample paired with an identification photograph allows us to determine the sex, stress levels, and genetic connections of each individual. We are actively working to sequence full genomes of humpback whales to determine the genetic connectedness of the social and feeding networks we see in our study areas.

To receive updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at bcwhales.org

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025 Our work with

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025

Our work with drones allows for an entirely new perspective into the lives and behaviours of whales. Drones enable us to monitor the health and body condition of whales, to witness the social bonds between individuals, gain new insights into the relationships of mothers and calves, and better understand the intricate dance of bubble net feeding.

A new focal follow study from the SWAG project is looking at whale behaviour from a bird’s eye view and is shedding new light on the relationship between natural behaviours and ship-strike vulnerability in Gitga’at Territory. We are observing both humpback and fin whales travelling just beneath the surface of the water within the first few metres of the ocean, making them invisible to vessels and more vulnerable to ship strikes. We will be publishing the findings in 2025, a year of vital importance and change in this region with the onset of LNG tanker traffic.

To receive updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at bcwhales.org

BCWhales Newsletter | Winter 2025 2024 was a piv

BCWhales 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 lifelong work to better understand and advocate for whales and the habitats essential to their survival. This year centred around new innovations, critical research projects, partnerships, and grasping opportunities including presenting our research at the international marine mammal conference in Australia.

To receive updates like this in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at bcwhales.org

#bcwhales

A recent story out of Chilean Patagonia highlights

A recent story out of Chilean Patagonia highlights the importance of keeping a respectful distance from whales while traveling in their vicinity.

The video appears to show a person in a small inflatable kayak getting caught in the mouth of a whale when is surfaces while feeding, then being briefly pulled underwater before being released by the whale. The humpback whale in this video appears to be lunge feeding, a type of filter feeding where the whales captures a large amount of bait fish and water in their mouths, pushes the fish and water through their baleen (which acts as a filter) then swallow the fish and spit out the water. While it would not be physically possible for a humpback whale to swallow anything as large as a person (many headlines indicate the kayaker was swallowed), it is possible to end up in the mouth of a whale. The risks of injury to both the person and the whale from an interaction like this are very real. It is not clear from this video what lead up to this incident, but the person involved here was very lucky to walk away unscathed, any impacts to the whale are not known.

In their cold-water feeding grounds whales are focused on feeding and replenishing body fat after months without nourishment from their time in the warm-water breeding grounds. Travel patterns of feeding whales vary by prey and are not necessarily obvious to observers, so they can appear suddenly and in unexpected places. Small vessels like kayaks and paddle boards are at particular risk when they end up in the same location as the whale’s bait food. For example, if a bait ball forms or takes shelter under a boat it may attract a feeding whale, putting the vessel and its occupants in the whale’s path.

In British Columbia, all vessels including kayaks and paddle boards are required to follow marine mammal viewing regulations and maintain a minimum distance of 100m from all whales, 200m from all orca except at least 400m from all orca in Southern BC. More distance is always better to reduce impacts.

For links to the full Global News article visit our linktree page in the bio.

#humpbackwhales

To celebrate Women in Science Day, we would like t

To celebrate Women in Science Day, we would like to highlight some of the amazing women who have contributed to the 20+ years of research conducted by BCWhales on the coast of British Columbia. Along with the women highlighted here, we have worked with numerous interns and volunteers who have made a significant contribution to understanding the needs of whales.

Janie Wray, CEO and lead researcher for BC Whales, has studied the acoustic traditions and culture of whale behaviour for the last 25 years. She is the co-founder of the North Coast Cetacean Society and in 2016 founded BC Whales and the Fin Island Marine Institute. She is devoted to the protection of whales and their precious habitat.

Grace Baer is the Research and Project Manager for BC Whales and leads data collection and data processing during the field season as well as leads the scar monitoring and drone focal follow projects.

Éadin O’Mahony is a PhD researcher with the University of St Andrews and University of Copenhagen. Her work to understand genetics involves collecting and analyzing DNA from non-invasive sources such as whale blow and eDNA.

Krista Roessingh lives near Bella Bella. Since 2020 she has been conducting boat-based cetacean surveys in through a protocol agreement with the Heiltsuk Nation and building a catalogue of local humpback whales for the community.

Erin Wall is a postdoctoral fellow and holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University. Erin is currently working to uncover the factors that shape humpback whale song learning in the northern Pacific feeding grounds.

Jenn Dickie has worked as a photographer, guide and safety & sustainability manager in the adventure tourism industry for 25 years. She has been a research assistant, Board Member, and has recently taken on the role of Communications Director with BC Whales.

Nicole Robinson is a member of the Gitga’at First Nation whose territorial waters we have worked within since 2001. She is a key member of the SWAG project, has worked with the Guardian Watchman program, conducted abundance surveys, and currently works as the Gitga’at liaison to the LNG shipping industry.

#womeninscience #whaleresearch

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