Seasonal movements and foraging behaviour of resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) in relation to the inshore distribution of salmon (Oncarhynchus spp.) in British Columbia ...

• Main Author: Nichol, Linda M.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2010
• Subjects: Killer Whale; Orca; Orcinus orca; Killer whale
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0098406; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0098406

Sightings and acoustic recordings from 1984 to 1989 of northern resident killer whales (Orcinus orca) from Johnstone Strait off north eastern Vancouver Island and from King Island on the central British Columbia coast were analysed to examine the hypothesis that northern resident whales move seasonally in their range to areas where salmon are available. Killer whales were most abundant in Johnstone Strait between July and October and infrequent during the remainder of the year. The increase in whale abundance during summer coincided with the migration of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) from offshore into Johnstone Strait. The occurrence near King Island in spring 1989 of the same resident whales that are seen in Johnstone Strait during summer, coincided with runs of sockeye and chinook salmon. During July, August and September of 1984 through 1988, killer whale sightings were recorded virtually daily in the Johnstone Strait. Observations of killer whales in Johnstone Strait during the summer of 1988 showed that ...