At the beginning of this day a few hours went by and then the A34s called just before 4am. They were still in Johnstone Strait but were now westbound. We followed their progress as they moved “up” the Strait by their calls and from various reports along the way. Tomoko remarked that they had been calling on the Parson Island system for a while which meant they had reached the area adjacent to the entrance to Blackney Pass. Before 7am one of the group’s large males was passing Ella Point, just east of Telegraph Cove, mid strait. A few minutes later the A34 group was identified going past Telegraph Cove. Even though very distant we could still hear them on the Strider beach system up until 7:38am.
They left the Strait soon after and headed through Weynton Pass and when on the “other side” we heard their still distant calls once more at 8:57am. They were crossing the western end of Blackfish and would eventually move into Queen Charlotte Strait.
When the whale watch boats came out they were distracted by Bigg’s orcas who, like the other day, were in the same vicinity as the Resident orcas. Around 12:30 to 2:12pm, the T060s travelling with T002B (identified a while later by Jared Towers), moved steadily northwest deeper into Queen Charlotte Strait. At first opposite the Egeria Shoals, then between Donegal Head and Bold Head, then over near Donegal Head, the T060 group moved into mid strait after rounding Donegal Head. At 3:46pm they were opposite Lizard Point still out in the middle.
Half an hour later, at 4:18pm the A34s were spotted off Lizard Point but much closer to Malcolm Island. At first seemingly heading west a follow-up report at 6:08pm suggested that they had changed direction and were now moving east.
Nearly two and a half hours later, at 8:26pm, we heard their calls as they entered Blackfish Sound. They did not immediately progress any further. Their calls over the next two hours remained always distant. The last calls we heard were at 10:22pm. So it is anyone’s guess where they finally ended up before midnight struck.
It was gratifying that alerts were made about Inukshuk sleeping on the surface, first mid channel in Blackney Pass opposite White Beach Pass at 11:18am and then later, doing the same thing off Cracroft Point between 3 and 4pm. Inukshuk’s habit of sleeping during the day is of concern because when he does so he is very low in the water and vulnerable to a ship strike. The alerts are really helpful as a warning. At the Lab we have seen this behaviour by Inukshuk before. Last year he slept right off the Lab for more than two hours. He looked as if nothing would wake him. On that occasion an unsuspecting boat transiting Blackney Pass just missed him. The reason given as to why he sleeps during the day is that he does the majority of his feeding on krill at night thus making him tired by daytime.
Today was a good day for our fishermen. Finally! Mark took Kabir, Callum, and Sullivan out on his boat for a couple of fishing excursions. Between them they caught 4 pink salmon, enough to feed everyone for two nights. We will offer the traditional Hanson Island fare of fish, fresh bread, brown rice and a salad made with garden greens. It has been too long. Well done fisherman for bringing this bounty!
