WHALES; 2 morning sightings

9:43 AM: You can watch for whales off either west-facing or northeast-facing West Seattle this morning. Kersti Muul from Salish Wildlife Watch says transient killer whales are northbound, emerging from Colvos Passage on the west side of Vashon Island, toward the west end of the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route. Also, she reports there’s a humpback whale in Elliott Bay, off the mid-downtown waterfront. Let us know if you see any of these!

2:46 PM: See comments for updates, including Kersti’s note that the Elliott Bay sighting turned out to be a gray whale.

A-Red May 26, 2021 (10:45 am)

Straight out from the beach, I see a couple of whales very close to a white yacht with a red stripe. Maybe even too close!

Guy Olson May 26, 2021 (10:55 am)

I can see them now, northbound mid channel. White and red tour boat extremely close to them.

Beanie May 26, 2021 (11:34 am)

A-red, which beach?

A-Red May 26, 2021 (1:03 pm)

Alki Beach, but they are long gone.Regarding the comment below, Do commercial whale watching boats really operate in this area? I would guess it was someone’s private boat, or a local tour boat–not specifically a whale watching tour.

JohnW May 26, 2021 (12:09 pm)

The reports of a commercial whale watching boat “maybe too close” and “extremely close” to the whales is troubling.
I hope any violation of marine animal protections is being documented, pursued and enforced.

Sunflower May 26, 2021 (1:18 pm)

Please be safe orcas. Back off boat!

JohnW May 26, 2021 (2:22 pm)

https://www.clippervacations.com/whale-watching/?mkwid=sSpkaM8MR_dc%7Cpcrid%7C522516848559%7Cpkw%7C%2Bwhale%20%2Bwatch%20seattle%7Cpmt%7Cb&gclid=CjwKCAjw47eFBhA9EiwAy8kzNP61BihgWitrJp8H6kB-RgPBEhi2VhVfu2yP5EqIMu5AlA8VQn4MRRoCG34QAvD_BwE

Kersti Muul May 26, 2021 (2:32 pm)

It’s a grey whale after all

Hiya May 26, 2021 (3:30 pm)

Is there word on its current location? Still in the area?

Donna, The Whale Trail May 26, 2021 (3:20 pm)

Hey everyone – If you see a boater violation around whales, please report it to the NOAA hotline at 1-800-853-1964. Take pictures or video if you can and upload them with the report. That applies to any vessel (commercial, recreational, or human-powered) that comes too close, cuts them off or otherwise disturbs them. See bewhalewise.org for a summary of distance and other guidelines and laws.

Also any time you see a whale, please report it to the free app Whale Report. That’s the best and most reliable way to prevent ship strikes (collisions) when whales are in our waters. Whale Report sightings are shared real-time with large vessels ( tugboats, ferries, container ships and tankers) and gives them a chance to slow down, change course, or take other protective actions.

Sightings are also shared with WDFW Enforcement whose marine patrols provide critical protection. The sightings are not shared with the general public or commercial whale-watching operators.

Whale Report is produced by Ocean Wise, and the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) is a transboundary initiative that has been adopted throughout the Salish Sea. The more sightings that are reported, the better protected the whales will be. Download Whale Report for free on iTunes and Google Play. Love the whales, protect them too! Any questions you can reach me at donna@thewhaletrail.org or 206-919-5397.

(P.S. Whale Report is not meant to replace or compete with existing sighting networks. Keep sharing your sightings as you have always done; report them also to Whale Report to immediately benefit the whales.)

Guy Olson May 27, 2021 (10:15 am)

Great info, thank you Donna!
- Donna, The Whale Trail May 27, 2021 (7:28 pm)
  
  You’re welcome Guy! Glad you found it useful. Keep that NOAA number handy, and hope to see you on The Whale Trail!

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