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 »
The future of the 76-member Southern Resident Killer Whale population has been imperiled by a number of factors including lack of food availability due to habitat destruction and intense commercial fishing. Unlike Bigg’s (transient) Killer Whales, which hunt and eat other mammals such as Seals, Porpoises and Dolphins etc., the Southern Residents are dependent on… Read more »
At Prince of Whales Whale Watching, what motivated the inception of our journey–and what continues to guide us every day–is a sense of responsibility for where we live, including the wildlife we encounter on every tour. From North Pacific seabirds to island-dwelling deer, ocean-bathing sea lions, and our majestic cetaceans, nothing incites more passion for environmental concern. Understandably, we want to do everything we can to assure these animals are able to enjoy the place they call home.
Whale watching, in particular, makes photography notably difficult. What some may not know precisely because of the bounty of phenomenal professional whale photography on the internet, is that orcas and other cetaceans only fleetingly surface.
Whether you’ve been on an eco-tour of the Salish Sea with the Prince of Whales Whale Watching or you’ve browsed through some of the stunning imagery on our social media channels, it’s likely you’ve seen the ethereal beauty of the Race Rock Ecological Reserve.
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.
We’ve got an exciting summer ahead of us! This year, Prince of Whales Whale Watching enters its 25th year of eco-adventure tourism and Whale Watching on the coastal waters of BC.