Salmon are an iconic species group in the Pacific northwest. They act as both predator and prey, and their presence is vital to many species, most notably, the endangered southern resident orca. Pacific salmon make up 90% of the diet of a southern resident orca (80% of which is Chinook), and the protection of the… Read more »
Whales are weird, and cool! Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are found all around the Earth’s oceans, in all shapes and sizes. Here’s a few examples of some particularly unique cetaceans, and what makes them special. Grey Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) The grey whale is a strange member of the baleen whale family. Baleen whales… Read more »
Aside from their cultural and economic value, Pacific salmon have a strong ecological value that spreads across lakes, rivers, and deep into the Pacific Ocean. Salmon are a key part of west coast food webs and are especially significant to our endangered southern resident killer whales. There are five species of Pacific salmon: chum, sockeye,… Read more »
From Feet to Flippers Whales and dolphins are beloved animals in many places around the world. From their intelligence and sociability to their sheer enormity, many people are fascinated by the mysterious underwater lives of these majestic creatures. Despite growing curiosity, many people are surprised to discover that whales evolved from land mammals. Cetaceans –… Read more »
When looking at whale research, under-water sound is a huge factor in considering cetacean health and wellbeing. Most whales use a variation of their own pitches to socialize and communicate with eachother, as well as to locate their food. The noises they make vary from clicks and whistles to pulsed calls.
What is the best way to track the behaviors of marine life? We’ll bet ‘canines’ isn’t the first answer that comes to mind. But that’s exactly what a program called CK-9 Orca Skat has implemented through The University of Washington’s Center for Conservation Biology.
Taking a bold environmental stance in response to the ever-expanding conservation research, the City of Vancouver has announced a ban on plastic straws. This proclamation comes in lockstep with World Oceans Day, a global awareness day with an annually rotating theme. In 2018, that theme is the accumulation of plastic in our big blue.
The Pacific Northwest is known for the ethereal beauty of its great outdoors. The abrupt summits and serene waters intersect with hues of luminous greens and deep blues––of the like to inspire one of the great artists of our time: Emily Carr. However, unlike the equally stunning landscapes of far-flung regions like Madagascar, the Congo, or Costa Rica, our wildlife get less of the global limelight.
Marine Conservation. Ecology Preservation. Sometimes it’s difficult to see these words as more than mere catchphrases. But we’ve grown to believe in the genuine meaning behind them. When your days are spent on the water, you not only develop a relationship with the life below you, but a love for the environment that encompasses that marine life.
Prince of Whales Whale Watching is constantly searching for ways to update its vessels and lead in innovation. Its newest in-operation vessel, the Salish Sea Dream was fitted with jets in place of props to propel it on the water safely and efficiently.