Just got word from Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail that orcas are in the area again – last reported passing Bainbridge Island’s Eagle Harbor, southbound. She’ll be at Constellation Park south of Alki Point if you are looking for expert guidance in looking for them from shore.
My husband and I both saw several commercial fishing boats just south of the Alki light house today. Shouldn’t we be leaving the salmon for the Orcas? Can someone explain why commercial fishing is still being permitted in the middle of the Southern resident Orca feeding grounds?
You are probably seeing the purse seines, which we noted last week
https://westseattleblog.com/2018/10/seen-off-west-seattle-purse-seine-fishing/
Checking the WDFW site, they are allowed to fish again today, 7 am-5 pm
https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/commercial/salmon/hotline/2018/26-nov05_2018.pdf
but under orders to release coho and chinook (the latter is what the resident orcas eat)
Patty, the response to your post from WSB allowed me to collect facts that I wouldn’t otherwise have had. Thank you.
Just spent the last hour watching them heading south past Blake Island, breaching and slapping their tails! What a show. Looks like multiple ferries were aware of their presence.
Thanks to the Whale Trail crew for helping us and other passers-by spot the whales from Constellaion Beach! They have binoculars to borrow, if you don’t have your own. Very cool.
The orcas are chasing the chum runs down here, that is why they come into south sound in late fall early winter.
@Jordon…Sometimes it’s just easier and quicker to ask the question(s) from an knowledgeable source like the WSB than to look it up yourself, “just sayin'”.
There is probably fodder for a larger story here. So thanks to all for asking, commenting, etc.
Thank you WSB. I so appreciate the reporting and follow up that you do. My husband and I would be very interested in follow up stories on this topic.
Just left Aroyos private beach.I saw L87 and J27 and four others passing SB midchannel.So these were residents; J pod matrilines.
Thank you for the update! Wish I could have joined the watch this afternoon – am instead at a meeting. Maybe they’ll be in view heading back this way tomorrow.
From the Washington State Ferry watch around 3:45 pm”Service delay-Update. The M/V Sealth was delayed 20 minutes, due to an Orca pod directly in front of vessel blocking passage. We were not able to move, until the Orca pod decided to move. Thank you for your patience, as share the waters with our beautiful sea life neighbors.”
I was on that Southworth bound ferry. We stopped and let them pass. They breached twice. It was awe inspiring.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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