West Seattle whales: Orcas in the area

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Thanks to Venkat for the photo – he spotted orcas off Colman Pool after 5 pm today; checking the Orca Network Facebook page, we verified that’s a research boat in the photo. A recent comment there had them passing Three Tree Point in Burien just before 6 – but we still have more than two hours of daylight, so if you’re by the water, keep watch, as they might head back this way. Let us know if you see them – 206-293-6302 – thanks!

7 Replies to "West Seattle whales: Orcas in the area"

  • BettytheYeti July 18, 2016 (8:25 pm)

    The many times I have walked this stretch to Colman wishing to see Orcas.  And when I do I am talking myself out of believing what I see.  Thanks Venkat for the proof!

  • John July 19, 2016 (7:46 am)

    I believe that boat is breaking the law?!  You have to be at least 200 yards from the whales.  I hope they got a large fine.

  • Myles July 19, 2016 (9:39 am)

    Yeah there is no chance sealife surfaces within 200y from a boat on their own.  Arrogant. 

    • John July 19, 2016 (3:24 pm)

      @Myles…. Not nice to call be names.  John is simply stating a fact.  It’s not ‘sealife’…it’s Orca whales that John is referring to.

       Different John 

  • enviromaven July 19, 2016 (10:54 am)

    Research boat.

  • Community Member July 19, 2016 (12:45 pm)

    The research boat is tightly regulated. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/permit15569.pdf

    They are allowed to approach a limited number of times for specific research tasks, such as collecting fecal samples or photographing to identify individuals. All approaches must be documented, and lots of other restrictions apply, such as the boat can only carry qualified researchers.

    The permit says they must fly a yellow pennant with the permit number; if you see a boat near the whales, you might look with binoculars to see if the permit is displayed.

  • Eric1 July 19, 2016 (2:35 pm)

    If you spend time on the water, you would be surprised how often marine mammals will come by to look at you. I have had marine mammals come up really close to the boat many times in my life (almost close enough to touch). The interaction is not normally wanted (fishing usually sucks), but if they aren’t regularly harassed, they are often as interested in you as you are in them.   Granted, any wildlife in Puget Sound probably isn’t interested but transiting Orcas would probably get that close to you if you were fishing off Point Williams.  Normally if you just keep dong what you were doing, they go away.

Sorry, comment time is over.