Latest news with #VictorIsaac
Vancouver Sun
17-05-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Young Bryde's whale, rarely seen in B.C., washes up dead on Vancouver Island
A young Bryde's whale, which is rarely seen in B.C., has been found washed up dead on Vancouver Island, according to the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation. The Nation's leaders are very concerned that the warming ocean due to human-caused climate change is contributing to whale mortality, especially since Bryde's whales don't usually travel this far north. News of the Bryde's whale comes after two dead grey whales washed up off the B.C. coast in the past week. The 'Na̱mg̱is were informed on Wednesday that a dead whale had washed ashore in Port McNeill Bay, located on the northern part of the Island. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Marine Education and Research Society, the 'Na̱mg̱is and the Fisheries Department are working together to figure out what happened to the whale. Initial photos suggested the whale was a Minke whale, but once on site, MERS confirmed — with the support of Bay Cetology, a cetacean research group based in Alert Bay — that the whale was a Bryde's whale, a species rarely seen in northern waters, according to a 'Na̱mg̱is press release. The Nation is deeply concerned by the death of any whale, but the rarity of this species appearing so far north makes this event particularly significant. 'Na̱mg̱is Guardians were dispatched on May 15 to monitor the site, educate onlookers, and ensure public and pet safety with respect for the animal. A necropsy has been planned help determine the cause of death. Postmedia has left messages with the DFO asking for more information. ''Na̱mg̱is First Nation is very sad and concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans,' said 'Na̱mg̱is Chief Victor Isaac. 'We will work with all parties to determine what has happened to this individual and hopefully come to better understand how to be the best stewards of our awi'nakola—our territory.' Bryde's whales are baleen whales that feed primarily on plankton and small schooling fish. They are rarely seen in waters north of a 35-degree latitude — roughly the same latitude as Los Angeles, California, said Isaac. More to come … ticrawford@
CBC
16-05-2025
- Science
- CBC
Rare whale washes up on Vancouver Island, in possible 1st sighting of species in B.C.
In a possible first for B.C., a Bryde's whale — a species not generally seen north of California — has washed up on Vancouver Island. The whale washed ashore in Port McNeill Bay, on the northern side of the Island, according to a news release from the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation. Experts brought in to examine the body confirmed it as a young Bryde's whale, a baleen whale that uses filter feeding, similar to humpbacks, generally found in tropical to temperate waters, though there have been stray sightings of individuals as far north as Washington state in the past. Jackie Hildering of the Marine Education and Research Society visited the whale and says to her knowledge, this is the first time one has been seen in British Columbia. 'Na̱mg̱is Chief Victor Isaac says in the statement that a necropsy of the Bryde's whale will be done to determine the cause of death, and the community is "deeply concerned" by the "rarity of this species appearing so far north." "Namgis First Nation is very sad and concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans," Isaac said. "We will work with all parties to determine what has happened to this individual and hopefully come to better understand how to be the best stewards of our awi'nakola — our environment," it said in the statement. The whale is the third to be found dead on B.C. shores this month, after two grey whales were found washed up, one on Vancouver Island and one on Haida Gwaii.
