Researchers with whale-watching boats have reported an unprecedented number of humpback whales coming from Bellingham to British Columbia this summer, reaching the Pacific Northwest.

The past twenty years were rough for humpback whales, which are almost extinct due to the rise of commercial whaling. No whale has been spotted in the area during this time, according to Michael Harris, the executive director of Pacific Whale Watch Association.

However, according to a new study published in the Association Press, researchers have started spotting more of the distinctively shaped whale during the past couple of years. The can be seen in groups of 15 or 20 specimens swimming together in the Salish Sea this summer.

In Harris’ own words, “it’s humpback heaven out there right now.” Reports of whale sightings show that they migrate from Central America, Hawaii, and Mexico to Alaska.

In order to avoid hunters – one of the leading causes of their population downfall – the whales have altered their route to go through an inside passage and reach the north in spring.

The Salish Sea is somewhat of a pit-stop for the humpback whales, a place for them to rest before continuing the migration. Scientists have noticed a pattern that shows the mammals migrating to north waters to feed during spring, and to southern waters to breed in the fall.

What contributes to the increasing numbers of humpbacks?

According to Rhonda Reidy, director at Prince of Whales Whale Watching in Victoria, British Columbia, the conditions in the ecosystem and the ocean, in general, are affecting the food chain. In turn, this forces the whales to search for food in southern waters, leading to more sightings.

Usually, humpbacks look for small fishes (anchovy or sardine) and krill for sustenance; however, researchers have yet to discover what exactly they feed on during their time in the British Columbia and Washington waters.

The latest estimations show that there are roughly 85,000 humpbacks worldwide, with more than 21,000 specimens living in the eastern North Pacific.

According to Cascadia Research Collective in Olympia, some 1,600 whales are feeding around the west coast of North America at the moment, with around 500 localized in Washington and British Columbia.
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